Artist in Residence

In September 2023, Dr. Narmin Mustafa, visual artist and academic, spent a weekend in residence at the Hardi Cultural Center as our inaugural Artist-in-Residence. She holds a diploma (1994–1999) from the Fine Arts Institute in Sulaymaniyah, a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Sulaymaniyah (1999–2003), and an MA (2009–2011); she is currently pursuing her PhD in the same city. Born in 1980 in the rugged highlands of Hawraman and raised in the city of Sulaymaniyah, Dr. Mustafa has lived through experiences of rupture and survival that continue to shape her artistic vision. Using materials such as rusted metal, blackened oil, and discarded objects she evokes the enduring traces of conflict and recovery. During her short residency, Dr. Mustafa used the time as a creative pause, a moment away from social responsibilities, to gather visual inspiration through outdoor photography and sketching, while also resting, reflecting, and reconnecting with her ongoing projects. Reflecting on her time at the Hardi Cultural Center, she said: “As a visual artist, I had the fantastic opportunity to be the first artist-in-residence at this beautiful palace. I believe it is important for all artists, in our increasingly busy world, to take a break from the city and its daily routines in order to reconnect with ourselves and our thoughts. For me, the Hardi Cultural Center was the perfect place to disconnect and re-engage with the beauty of nature and the surrounding mountains. The mountains, stones, and their stunning colors at dawn and sunset gave me immense strength, helping me to renew myself and reflect deeply. I truly hope that I, and other artists as well, can experience this again and draw upon the same positive energy — because it is such an ideal place to step away from daily routines and rediscover one’s creative spirit.”