SWANA Ggallery

May 29 - July 20 in the Lookingglass Lobby


“Dunyeh…Bati. Khayee qatakh. Oo khayakh da qatakh. Khayat, Brati. Khayat
[My girl. My life for you. And your life is also for you. Live, my girl, live.]”

Iraq, But Funny by Atra Asdou

SWANA Ggallery

May 29-July 20

During performances of Iraq, But Funny (May 29 – July 20) the Lookingglass lobby hosts an exhibition of visual art by Southwest Asian and North African women and non-binary artists … and some work by the playwright’s father, too. The exhibit has been curated by Narimon Safavi of Zaryab Creative with support from Kareem Bandealy, Lookingglass’ Creative Producer – New Engagements and with participation by Project Onward.

The works displayed here are in lively conversation with the themes of Iraq, But Funny: how do we carry family histories that include generations of death and displacement; change and struggle; joy and courage? How do women, devalued and demeaned across cultures and centuries, boldly take center stage and take control of their own narratives? How do we teach, by words and by example, the lessons of our past for the children of our future?


To further explore the work on display, we invite you to attend a Gallery Talk on June 17 at 6PM. Meet the artists, see Iraq, But Funny at 7PM and attend a post-performance REFLECT panel celebrating women in the arts—past, present, and future.


Access the artists’ statements below. To purchase the art in this exhibition, please speak to a member of Audience Services.

1- Feminine Renewal
2 - Another Science Experiment!
3 - Clownin’ Around
4 - Untitled
5 - The Great Spill
6 - The Great Spill 3
7 - The Great Spill 2
8 - Purple Snail
9 - Intergalactic Exchange
10 - Bubble Snail
11 - Untitled
12 - Assyrian Pattern
13 - Flowers
14 - The Parthian Shot
15 - Weapons of Mass Destruction
16 - Freedom
17 - Pomegranate
18 - Tiny Tent
19 - Caged Elephant
20 - One Goal, NFS
21 - Looking For Land, NFS
22 - Dream, NFS
23 - Refugee, NFS
24 - Preacher, NFS
25 - Betrayed, NFS
26 - Freedom, NFS
27 - Tower of Atour, NFS
28 - Split, NFS
29 - Return to Spring, NFS
30 - Displaced, NFS
31 - Dialogue
32 - Scotch Thistle In Garfield Park Conservatory
33 - Dunyeh I
34 - Passed Down Between Generations 3
35 - Passed Down Between Generations 2
36 - Passed Down Between Generations 1
37 - Dunyeh II