Sabah Al-Dhaher
Made of Basalt
Sabah Al-Dhaher was born in Nasiriyah, Iraq. His interest in art began as a young boy when he worked in his father’s bakery. A friend in their neighborhood heard he was interested in drawing and gave him a book about art. On those pages, he first saw and was fascinated by Michelangelo’s work. Then, the friend gave him a copy of The Odyssey. The influence of those two volumes is still visible in his work today. At the age of fifteen, he was accepted to the Institute of Fine Arts in Basra, Iraq, where he lived and received his training in classical art.
Mr. Al-Dhaher fled Iraq in 1991, in the turmoil following the first Gulf War. He was admitted to the US as a political refugee, quickly settled in the Seattle area, and proceeded to produce an extensive body of paintings and sculptures and an impressive list of exhibits and installations. He teaches at the Pratt Fine Art Center in Seattle and presents programs at art workshops and symposia.
“Beautiful Night” was inspired by the stone itself –- not only local stone but exceptionally high quality, very dark, with a luxurious sheen when polished. Mr. Al-Dhaher saw not only the darkness of night, but the “music” in the word “night”, suggesting Femininity, and the form thus emerging from and in darkness.
A Legacy Gift to the City of Puyallup from Babbette Kunkle and Family.