Afifa Aleiby is an Iraqi artist renowned for her evocative figurative paintings.

Aleiby studied at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad and worked as an illustrator for the Iraqi press. In 1974, she pursued advanced studies in monumental art at the Surikov Institute in Moscow.

Due to the political instability in Iraq, Aleiby did not return home after her studies. Instead, she lived in Italy and later in Yemen, where she taught at the Institute of Fine Arts in Aden and illustrated children’s publications.

Aleiby’s work reflects her diverse cultural experiences, blending classical techniques with contemporary themes. Her paintings often depict the female form, exploring themes of memory, displacement, and identity.

She incorporates Arabic aesthetics, muted colour palettes, and dreamlike compositions to create art that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Aleiby has exhibited internationally with solo shows. She has also been featured in major group exhibitions, including the 2022 Singapore Biennale and “Theatre of Operations: The Gulf Wars 1991–2011” at MoMA PS1 in New York (2019–2020).