Khalid Alaani started drawing early in his childhood. He still takes reference from the nature he experienced on summer vacations in the countryside of Iraq with his family. After a career as a pharmacist, he returned to painting full-time in 2008. He left Iraq in 2006 and fled to Damascus, Syria. He was relocated to the U.S. in June, 2012. “I still dream of Iraq. Dreaming and imagining a beautiful life, full of colors, happiness and spontaneity.”
Khalid is always trying to find new things, and once found, it is not new anymore. That makes painting an endless process of searching, exploring, passion and above all, pleasure. Most of his work is in acrylic with occasional additions of mixed media and collage. He feels most easily able to express himself in acrylic. “My artwork depend on trial and exploration. When I start my painting, whether it is a broad brush, a pencil line or a solid colored space, I always find a human in it. Those humans are not aliens, I know them, I feel them, they are part of me . I become those people whom I draw. I know what they believe and I can tell their stories.”
“In this journey I've been enjoying the searching for beauty of lines, brush strokes and dialogue between masses and spaces on the surface of my paintings. The art work has made me richer and better person.”
Partial Exhibits List and Awards:
. IA&A at Hillyer, Washington DC, June 2019 • The Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA, 2016 • Robert W, Regier Gallery, North Newton, KS, 2016 • Clayton Staple Gallery, McKnight Art Center,Wichita State University, KS, 2016 • Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Spring, MD, 2015 • Iraqi Artists Exhibition, Florence, CA, 2014 • 4 Iraqi Artists-in-Exile Exhibitions in New Theme Gallery, Los Angeles, CA, 2012 • Common Humanity Exhibitions since 2011 • Roots Exhibition, Italian Embassy, Syria, 2010 • Iraqi Artists Forum, Damascus, Syria, 2009 • Free Hand Gallery, Damascus, Syria, 2008
