12 September: Tribute to Mohammed Ghani Hikmat

Image Courtesy: Google Doodle

Mohammed Ghani Hikmat (20 April 1929 – 12 September 2011) was an Iraqi sculptor and artist credited with creating some of Baghdad’s highest-profile sculptures and was known as the “sheik of sculptors”.

Life and Career

Mohammed Ghani Hikmat was born on 20 April 1929 in Baghdad. As a young boy, he liked to mold objects out of clay that he found in his surroundings, and his talent was soon noticed.

Hikmat created well-regarded works such as Scheherazade and Shahrayar, and the Fountain of Kahramana. Many of his sculptures were inspired by the stories in 1,001 Nights — widely known as the ‘Tales of Arabian Nights’. An activist as well as an artist, Hikmat was responsible for reclaiming art taken from the National Museum of Iraq during the political turbulence in the early 2000s. His work is displayed in city centers and busy squares as an ode to his deep connection to Iraqi culture.

He died on 12 September 2011 at age of 82 in Amman, Jordan.

Award and Legacy

Mohammed Ghani Hikmat’s legacy as an Iraqi sculptor is marked by his significant contributions to the field of art and sculpture. His works have been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, and his unique artistic style and themes have garnered critical acclaim.

Hikmat’s sculptures have not only added to the cultural and artistic heritage of Iraq but also to the global art community. His works have been appreciated for their technical skill, artistic vision, and social commentary, and they continue to inspire and provoke thought among art enthusiasts and collectors.

On 20 April 2016, Google celebrated Mohammed Ghani Hikmat’s 87th birthday with a doodle.