jafar islah

b. 1946, Kuwait. 

 Jafar Islah – a keystone of the Kuwaiti art movement – is mostly renowned for his drawings and paintings, but he also involves himself in a number of other media such as large-scale sculptures and tapestry. He is also known to design a number of stamps honoring Kuwait’s independence in 1991. 

Islah achieved his BA degree from the University of Callifornia, Berkeley in 1970, and was a visiting student at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in 1971.

Cultural variety is prominent in his work, as he has lived and worked in several countries including Kuwait, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, the United States, France and Turkey. However, his artwork transcends styles and themes and does not conform to any one in particular.

EXHIBITIONS

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

Aldar – Kuwait, 1973, 1975.

Gallery Herve’ Odermatt – Paris, France, 1976.

Sultan Gallery – Kuwait, 1980.

Contemporary Art Platform – Kuwait, 2012.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

Bruno Biennale – Tchekoslovakia, 1977.

Kuwait Art Council Gallery – Kuwait, 1977.

Gallery Herve’ Odermatt – Paris, France, 1979.

Graphic Exhibition, Cultural Hall, French Embassy – Kuwait, 1979.

Bruno Biennale – Tchekoslovakia, 1980.

‘A Century in Flux: Highlights from the Bajeel Art Foundation’, Bajeel Art Foundation – Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 2018.

AWARDS AND HONORS

First Prize (Kuwait Airways Posters) – Catania, Italy, 1975.

Second Prize (Kuwait Airways Posters) – Catania, Italy, 1977.