The Creative Roots Interactive Exhibition

In the heart of Baghdad, on May 9–10, 2025, the Bronze Art Gallery came alive with clay, color, stories, and song as the Creative Roots Interactive Exhibition welcomed over 80 visitors across two unforgettable days. This wasn’t just an exhibition, it was the culmination of a year of heritage-based workshops across Iraq, woven together into an immersive celebration of creative learning and collective memory.

A Dream Brought to Life

Set beside the College of Fine Arts in the Bab al-Muazzam district, the gallery became a bridge between Iraq’s past and future. For two weeks prior, the Creative Roots team - Ali Raid, Mohammed Subhi and Amna Nader-traveled from Babil and Diyala to Baghdad to prepare the space. Working closely with gallery owner Alia and Photographer Laith Salman, the team transformed every inch into a living testament to Iraqi creativity.

From the printed brochures to the zine titled Into the Roots, the cohesive Iraqi inspired visual identity was designed by Mohammed Subhi, ensuring that every detail was curated to make ancient knowledge feel personal, playful, and empowering. Diplomatic invitations were sent, curatorial statements written, and interactive booths installed, all built on months of research, experimentation, and community engagement.

Five Stations, Countless Memories

The exhibition was five interactive stations, each designed to revive a piece of Iraq’s creative heritage:

• The Land’s Seal (Cylinder Seals): Guests carved their own seals in clay, learning about Sumerian amulets and ancient identity stamps under the guidance of Ali Raid.

• Cuneiform & Heritage Booth: Visitors wrote their names in cuneiform with Sipar Store’s Yassin, while browsing traditional crafts supporting Iraq’s creative economy.

• Shahrazad Retold Collage Corner: Inspired by 1001 Nights, this station, led by Amna Nader, invited people to cut, paste, and reimagine stories through visuals.

• Arabesque Journey: Pre-lined tiles and historic patterns were colored by attendees of all ages while learning about Islamic design from Mohammed Sobhi.

• Brutal Baghdad: Twenty photos by first-time exhibitor Laith Salman captured Iraq’s overlooked modernist architecture, igniting conversations about preservation.
  

Just next door, Safan Tamim served Iraqi heritage-inspired treats, and guests gathered around themed tables to play the ancient Game of Ur, connecting joyfully with one of the world’s oldest board games.

All the products of the past workshops, from cylinder seals made by Iraqi youth representing their memories, to ceramic tiles painted by Iraqi youth after they were inspired by the Abbasid Palace and its arabesque patterns, to the four collage collaborative pieces retelling 1001-night stories. The venue became of a museum of Iraqi youth's creativity blending with their heritage to produce never seen before original magic!

Diplomacy Meets Creativity

The private opening welcomed ambassadors from Hungary, Poland, and the Czech Republic, alongside the Italian Cultural Attaché and the Deputy Australian Ambassador, each guided through the stations, hearing the story behind every booth and creating their own pieces. The opening kicked off with Sumerian chants and traditional songs, performed by Elaf and curated by Bronze Gallery’s Alia, added depth to the ceremony.

Followed by a heartfelt opening remark by Dr. Arwa Alrawi, the development manager at on the importance of cultural memory. Project manager Ali Raid followed with a presentation of Creative Roots’ year-long journey and its goal of inspiring civic engagement through cultural participation. Gift packages featuring the Game of Ur, handmade crafts, and printed materials were prepared for each diplomat, reminders of a rich past lovingly revived.

“It’s impressive and truly important what you are doing through Creative Roots.” Dr. Claudia of the Italian Cultural Attaché

Learning, Play, and Community

Day one brought a wave of young adults, many of whom were former workshop participants, while day two welcomed children, families, and the curious public. Laughter, bright colors, and curiosity filled the air.

Visitors didn’t just observe, they participated, imagined, questioned, and remembered. The zine Into the Roots was a surprise favorite, blending Mesopotamian motifs with pop culture, games, and educational prompts. Printed materials were all bilingual, ensuring access and engagement for diverse audiences.

“This is the best exhibition I’ve ever attended in Baghdad.”  - Abbas, a medical student and culture enthusiast

What’s Next?

This wasn’t the end. Creative Roots is now a scalable model, one that can be replicated, expanded, and adapted to new contexts. Plans for future iterations include:

• A larger venue to accommodate growing audiences

• Augmented reality tours or audio guides

• Distribution of creative kits to schools and youth centers

• Inclusion of 3D-printed heritage objects

• Expanded volunteer opportunities
  

  

A Final Word

Creative Roots is more than an exhibition. It’s a belief that Iraq’s future is brightest when built on the creativity of its past and in the hands of its youth.

We thank TARII, the Kaplan Foundation, Creative Iraq, Bronze Gallery, and our many collaborators for helping make this dream a reality.

Creative Roots is a project by TARII, funded by the JM Kaplan Foundation, and implemented in collaboration with Creative Iraq Consulting.