AMJED JUMAA | ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

Amjed Jumaa is an Iraqi visual artist, born in 1968 and a member of the Iraqi Artists Syndicate, Basra branch. At the age of four, he was affected by polio, an early struggle that marked his childhood and led him to seek refuge in art. From the age of nine, drawing became his language of expression, a way to channel both dreams and pain into creativity.

His artistic journey spans decades and continents. After the 2003 war, Amjed migrated to Syria, then to Salah al-Din in 2006, followed by Erbil. In 2014, he relocated to Turkey, where he lived for eight years before moving with his family to the United States as refugees in 2021. Along the way, he has participated in numerous exhibitions and festivals in Iraq, Turkey, and abroad, including here in Vermont.

Amjed’s memoir, The White Night, written by Ahmed Al-Raysan and printed at Dar Al-Sard Publishing House in Baghdad, documents his life story and artistic career in raw and realistic detail. The book recounts moments of loss, war, and displacement, alongside the resilience and passion that sustained his art. It is currently being translated into English by Sarah Al-Obaidi and is expected to be published and available in both the U.S. and Iraq. Amjed hopes to mark the English release with a book signing event in Vermont, surrounded by family, friends, and fellow artists.

He extends special thanks to Vision Media, director Jisan Haque, his son and photographer Mohammed, his wife Dhumaya, daughters Raghad and Rafid, their husbands Mohammed Jasim and Ahmed Thamer, and all his brothers and sisters in Iraq for their constant support throughout his journey.

Follow Amjed’s ongoing work on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under Amjed Jumaa.

​