Saleh Barakat Gallery presents False Witnesses, a solo show by the influential Iraqi artist Dia al-Azzawi (b. 1939), whose iconic work is inspired by the long and shared history of the Arab world, from ancient Mesopotamia to the present day. Originally scheduled for October 2023, then rescheduled for September 2024, this exhibition is a biting critique of the corruption endemic to all political systems, seen through the prism of recent events in Iraq. Although the main body of works directly reference the October Revolution (2019–20), the destruction of Mosul (2014–17) and Aleppo (2012–16), and the sectarian divisions in Baghdad (2003 onwards), they are part of Azzawi's ongoing endeavour to highlight injustice in general and champion the voices of all victims of oppression through his work. The artist has also added a display of charcoal drawings from the celebrated series Night of Extermination (2023), which were made at the start of the genocide in Gaza, and his new daftar (artist’s book) called Gaza: The Pain that Opened My Daughter’s Eyes (2025), to emphasise the fact that the violent oppression of Palestinians is tantamount to injustice against us all.

Opening Hours:
Tuesday - Friday: 11 am - 6 pm
Saturday: 11 am - 4 pm
Saturday (During August): 11 am - 2 pm