18 March – 1 April 2023.

THE LAND OF BLACKNESS - 2023 is a collection of palm tree paintings exploring the concept of land and time by focusing on the density of Iraqi date palms in early Islamic times. Between the 7th – 12th century Southern Iraq was known as the ‘Black Land’ where millions of date palms crowded the region blocking out everything whilst providing food, shelter and shade.

The Black Land was referred to the stark contrast between the alluvial plain of Mesopotamia and the Arabian Desert. The date palm is responsible for growth of the human population.

Iraq is the Cradle of Civilisation where the date palms were known to have nurtured civilisation. Haneen Hadiy’s paintings powerfully explore anthropomorphism focusing on intentions and emotional responses to these spectacular organisms. As Hadiy connects with the land of her ancestors, she focuses on revealing the lands history and culture whilst discovering a deep growing connection to the Iraqi date palm which is considered a symbol of identity, growth and peace of mind.

HANEEN HADIY

Biography

Haneen Hadiy was born in Glasgow, Scotland to Iraqi parents in 1999. She started her career as a visual artist at the age of eighteen. Haneen Hadiy has exhibited around Scotland, London, New York and Los Angeles, revealing the unseen attractions of her motherland. In 2018 she organised an exhibition in Glasgow, giving the opportunity for exposure to Iraqi artists living in Iraq. Haneen regularly travels back and forth from Iraq to Scotland to explore her identity within both cultures. When travelling to Iraq, Haneen continuously focuses on revealing the existing scenic attractions of her homeland. Her works are known for their distinctive intimacy and integrity. She continuously experiments through a variety of mediums to explore her family history, cultural heritage, and identity as a diasporic artist. 2022 Dewar Arts Awardee. 2023 Photo London Hahnemühle Student Award Nominee.