Female sculptor carves path for fellow Iraqis
This Iraqi artist says sculpture changed her life
Location: Baghdad, Iraq
After finishing her master’s degree at Baghdad’s College of Fine Arts
Karmal Ali became the department’s first female sculpture teacher in years
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI SCULPTOR AND TEACHER AT BAGHDAD'S COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS, KARMAL ALI, SAYING:
"Like everybody else, I face difficulties in my life. Financially, in terms of my family, as a woman and her role within the family. For me, going back to art was like returning to something I love, something that reflects me and in which I find myself. So this is what drove me to go back to pursue art through study. My first step was to complete my master studies at the college. Despite the difficult situation and the challenges, this created a bigger opportunity, the hope to become a teacher in this college."
More conservative segments of Iraqi society disapprove
of women becoming sculptors
But over the years, more women have joined Ali’s classes
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI SCULPTOR AND TEACHER, MARWA SAMI, SAYING:
"I mostly see male sculptors, there are no women. So I wanted to prove that Iraqi women are able to do anything, and be great sculptors."
