Helan

In Erbil, the cultural heart beats within Helan, a project, initiated by Goethe-Institut Irak together with Sêv Gallery and Framing Photojournalism School.
The project consists of curating and organizing a series of cultural events in a vivid exchange between the organizers and the artists.

Eine Frau betrachtet Bilder einer Kunstausstellung © Goethe-Institut e.V.

Since its founding in 2021, Helan has become an integral part of the local cultural scene, hosting 19 carefully curated exhibitions, concerts and workshops in 2023 alone. The wide-ranging works cover topics such as the role of women in society, everyday life in the countryside, sustainability, cultural heritage and human existence, and reflect the diversity of the artists.

Exhibitions and Concerts 2023

Hero Shekhe: Motherhood

Type: Painting
Title: Motherhood
Date: 02.12.2023

Artist: Hero Shekhe, born in 1991 in Oshnavieh, is a graduate of Fine Arts who studied in Oshnavieh and Erbil. Since 2012 she has had several solo and group exhibitions.

In her newest work, she reflects on the topic of motherhood. How does the artist as an individuum change after bringing another being into the world? – Both joy and doubts form part of her artistic process.

Mohammed Murad Akoyi: Melodies of Life

Type: Photography
Title: Melodies of Life
Date: 25.11.2023

Artist: Mohammed Murad Akoyi was born in 1988. He started photography in 2013 and since then had several group exhibitions. “Melodies of Life” is his second solo exhibition.

The pieces in “Melodies of Life” capture moments of people's daily lives in villages, allowing a vivid insight into traditions and folklore.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Razhwan Falah Ali: Art Exhibition

Type: Painting
Title: Razhwan Falah Ali
Date: 11.11.2023

Artist: Rezhwan Falah, 22, was born in Kirkuk. She took part in several group exhibitions. The exhibition in the framework of Helan is her first solo exhibition.

In her paintings she highlights details like patterns, colour elements or jewellery by depicting them larger than life – thus stressing their relevance.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Jamal Hamad Amin und Muhammad Khadr: Corners of the City

Type: Painting
Title: Corners of the City
Date: 28.10.2023

Artists: Jamal Hamad Amin and Muhammad Khadr, born in 1974, respective 1972, are both members of the Kurdistan Artists Syndicate. They have many solo and joint exhibitions inside and outside Iraq.

With their almost photorealistic ink paintings of street scenes in downtown Erbil, Jamal Hamadamin and Mohammed Kheder highlight some of the city’s hidden gems.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Meethak al-Khatib: Playground Gray

Type: Photography
Title: Playground Gray
Date: 21.10.2023

Artist: Meethak al-Khatib was born in Ramadi, Anbar region. He started telling the stories of others as a translator and video journalist, covering, among others, the battle of Mosul.

The exhibition of polaroid photos, following 12 years old Azad and his friends in Kawergosk refugee camp, sheds light upon the profound and longlasting impact conflicts have, especially on children and families.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Helan Jam Session

Type: Music
Title: Helan Jam Sessions
Date: 12.10.2023

Artists: Annette Maye (clarinet), Gaelan Kamaran (clarinet), Yosif Namiq (Piano), Ibrahim Hemn Kaara (Percussion), Perwin Salh (Sentur), Bayax Talb (Saz).

Together with the German clarinetist Annette Maye, the five musicians from Helan Band brought a fusion of Kurdish and European sounds onto the stage.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Rooftop Sessions: Kurdistan Band

Type: Music
Title: Kurdistan Band
Date: 07.10.2023

Artists: Rabar Kurdistani, Muhsin Keramati, Khaled Babakir, Omid Dabbaghi, Saeed Kakavan, Mohammad Reza Kakavand

The Musicians played a mix of traditional Kurdish music with modern rhythms, creating captivating melodies that depict the diversity of Kurdish music.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Naz Ali Awla: Art Exhibition

Type: Painting
Title: Naz Ali Awla
Date: 09.09.2023

Artist: Naz Ali Awla was born 1989 in Erbil and graduated in software engineering. Since 2006 she has had several solo and group exhibitions both inside and outside Iraq.
In her art she turns everyday materials and objects into her canvas that reflect on the importance of life and nature.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Rooftop Sessions: Barvan Sideq

Type: Music
Title: Barvan Sideq
Date: 15.07.2023

Artists: Barvan Sideq Abdullah, born 1995, is a singer and Saz player from Akre.
Together with the guitar player Arez Abdulrahman and percussionist Ibrahim Hemn he performed pieces inspired by the Kurdish poet Emîn Botanî as well as by musicians Hesen Şerîf and Mohammed Taha Akreyi, among others.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Sakar Farouk: Hidden Faces

Type: Painting
Title: Hidden Faces
Date: 08.07.2023

Artist: Sakar Farouk was born in 1977 in Sulaymaniyah. She graduated from the insitute of Fine Arts in Sulaymaniyah. Sakar had exhibitions both in Iraq and internationally. She is head of the kurdistan artists union of Sulaymaniyah and also teaches art to children.

The paintings in "Hidden Faces” reflect on the ongoing identity struggle of women in society, challenging patriarchal roles and historical injustices.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Rooftop Sessions: Rezhna Band

Type: concert
Title: Rezhna Band
Date: 17.06.2023

Artists: Shahram Jasim, Zhiuar Hussen, Shivan Jamal, Zhiyar Luqman, Shady Salah, Sarxan Yasin, Koshan Burhan, Dastan Osman, Kardo Farhad, Aland Najmadin, Safin Mohamad, Rozi Jamal

Under the guidance of Shahram Jasim, a group of musicians and vocalists from Sulaimania showcased a blend of music and songs from various regions

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Rooftop Sessions: Muhamad Majed

Type: concert
Title: Muhamad Majed
Date: 03.06.2023

Artist: Muhamad Majed is a pianist who studied at the music department of Salahedin University of Erbil. With his reinterpretation of Kurdish music, he aims to stimulate the imagination of his audience.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
No man’s land: Mneme Kollektiv, Eat the Frog Kollektiv

Type: Contemporary Dance, instrumental music, electronic music
Title: Niemandsland/ No man’s land
Date: 02.05.2023

Artists: Eat the Frog Collective (Münster), Mneme Collective, musicians Perwin Salh and Norshin Salih

By merging dance, music, text and sound, the artists offered their view of bewilderment in the face of current world events.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Rooftop Sessions: Mneme Kollektiv, Eat The Frog Kollektiv

Type: Contemporary Dance, instrumental music
Title: Helan Rooftop Sessions
Date: 29.04.2023

Artists:
Eat the Frog Collective: Tobias Link, Stefan Schneider
Mneme Collective: Isabel Bernhard, Sarah Bernhard, Charlotte Petersen
Helan Band: Muhamad Sherzad (Oud), Berwin Salh (Santur), Nourshen Salh (Violin), Gailan Kameran (Clarinet), Yousif Namiq (Piano), Arez Abdulrahman (Guitar)

In a free improvisation, the Eat the Frog collective, together with the Mneme collective and members of the Helan band, offered insights in their working process on the brinks of visual and auditive art.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Keevan M. Smail Motif Art

Type: Motif Art
Title: The hidden narratives within Motif Art, where art becomes a novel.
Date: 20.05.2023

Artist: Keevan M. Smail was born in 1971 and is a graduate of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Salahadin University.
The small scale art pieces of his motif paintings reflect in much detail the depth of human emotions.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Existence

Type: Painting, mixed materials
Title: Existence
Date: 11.03.2023

Artists: Shara Rashid, Namo Rostemzade, Awder Osman, Maher Setar, Hero Shekhe, Radwan Basit, Sonia Basheer, Naz Ali Aula, Znara Ahmed

The exhibition “Existence” combines the perspectives of nine Kurdish artists on the matter of women’s role in society. During an artistic symposium in March 2023, the artists collaborated in a joint endeavor and developed their own artistic vision through dialogue and discussion.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. /Mohammed Shwani
Shara Rashid: In Quest for Identity

Type: Painting, mixed materials
Title: In Quest for Identity
Date: 25.02.2023

Artist: Shara Rashid was born in 1974. She is an artist and writer and teaches at Sulaimani Fine Arts Institute. She is a member of formative artists of Iraq group, the syndicate of Kurdistan artists, and the foundation of critical thinking. Shara took part in several solo and group exhibitions, both inside and outside Iraq and is the translator of several books from Arabic into Kurdish.

In “Quest for Identity”, Shara uses wrapping technique on prepared surfaces to portray semi-animal creatures or futuristic beings with vague forms. The depicted individuals navigate through physical and mental pressure in an ever changing world on their quest for their human identity.

© Goethe-Institut e.V./ Mohammed Shwani
Shamal Sadullah: Story

Type: Painting
Title: Story
Date: 04.02.2023

Artist: Shamal Sadulla was born in 1986 in Chamchamal, in the Kurdish region of Iraq and graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Erbil 2007. Up to this date, his art was shown in four solo exhibitions and several group exhibitions, both locally and internationally.

The exhibition revolves around the topic of stone and reflects on the various shapes, functions and meanings the material adopts throughout human history – be it in agriculture, religious context, or even as a tool of war.

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Mohammed Shwani
Group Exhibition: Life in Kurdistan

Type: Photography
Title: Life in Kurdistan
Date: 21.02.2023

Artists: Shvan Harki, Roza Gardi, Sara Suleman, Helwest Sultan, Dlovan Saadi, Marwa Sarkawt, Raber Rasol

The group of young photographers worked on the topic of Life in Kurdistan. The joint exhibition reflects their views on the environment they live in, covering various aspects such as cultural and religious diversity, immigration and work.

Special Guests: Ralf Beste (cultural director of the Federal Foreign Ministry of Germany)

© Goethe-Institut e.V. / Safin Hamid

Contact Persons

Mutaz Abdulrahman

My name is Mutaz Abdulrahman. I am a cultural manager and have been working at the Goethe-Institut Irak since 2016. I am trained in theater and media studies. In cultural work, my focus is on music, literature and theater. My motivation for Helan is to offer a consistent and diverse series of events with concept and curation. This alternative space is developing further and further into a strong authority in the cultural landscape of Erbil.
Znara Ahmed

My name is Znara Ahmed. I am an artist and gallery owner. I studied fine arts.In 2018 I founded the independent art and culture center Sêv Gallery in Erbil.
With Helan I want to create a protected yet public space, especially for young and female musicians and artists. With our team as mentors at their side, they can gain experience and progress on their path as artists.

Goethe-Institut / privat
Safin Hamed

My name is Safin Hamed. In addition to my work as a media photographer, whose work is published in internationally renowned media houses, I am the director of the Framing School of Photojournalism. My motivation for Helan is to create an always open space for artists and musicians where they can work, meet and initiate projects together. In this way, we are building a continuously growing community of artists and musicians.

Helan

Exhibitions and Concerts 2023

Contact Persons

Mutaz Abdulrahman

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