LAYLA AL-ATTAR - June 27, 1993

LAYLA AL-ATTAR - June 27, 1993

"Artists and Workers Form One World without Borders!"

Academy of Fine Arts, University of Baghdad, Iraq

by Mike Alewitz

Assistance by Fatin Musa & Volunteers

IN 1998 an anti-war delegation from the US and Canada delivered several million dollars worth of much needed medical supplies to Iraqi hospitals, in defience of the US imposed sanctions. This mural project was part of the Challenge the Sanctions effort led by Ramsey Clark, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and others. 

The central imagery of the mural consists of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers transformed into two figures: A North American worker clasping hands with Layla Al-Atal, a prominent Iraqi artist and Ddirector of the Iraqi National Art Museum.  On June 27, 1993, Layla, her husband and housekeeper were killed by a missile attack on Baghdad which was ordered by President Bill Clinton. The attack also left her daughter blind.

American bombers fly overhead, but as the bombs reach the clasped hands, they turn into loaves of bread and also roses. An aid package bonks Uncle Sam on the head. Participants in the project created a border of hand prints. An arabic inscription across the top reads: "Artists and Workers Form One World without Borders!"

The mural was painted over the course of two days with the assistance of students at the Academy. From the time I arrived at the wall I was surrounded by crowds of workers and students. We discussed art and politics and I showed slides of labor struggles in the U.S. They were intrigued to find out that I had been placed on the Attorney General's subversive list, while Ramsey Clark was the AG. 

Despite the great crimes of Washington, wherever you go in this world - if you extend the hand of solidarity - your fellow workers will welcome you.