Etched with emotion

Self-taught Iraqi artist paints words of wisdom on glass

Abdul Settar Deway's hobby of glass painting became his profession after he was regularly commissioned to paint special pictures. "I had a lot of appreciation for my art back home in Iraq. Many of my clients were from the Emirates and around the GCC, so I thought of opening a studio in Dubai," says Settar.

Ideas

An architect by profession, he enjoyed working with wood and would occasionally paint on glass. Through trial and error, he taught himself the technique of glass painting. At first, he used to get ideas from magazines and photographs that he had taken over the years. Settar gifted his work to his friends and soon word spread around about his craftsmanship.

"I saw the demand for glass painting and decided to open a studio and work full-time," adds Settar. His workplace became famous soon after he opened it. He named it after his apartment building, calling it Thalatha; which means the number three.

In Iraq, he was often called by that name too. Settar makes his painting from memories he has of his childhood. His emotions are captured in his work, making it seem as though you are part of the picture.

He often paints scenes from an old town in Baghdad, a market place, verses from the Holy Quran, words of wisdom, portraits or wall hangings.

Colour