Shakir Hassan Al-Said (1925-2004)

1925 Born in Samawah, near the Warka archaeological site in central Iraq, to a father who previously worked as an officer in the Ottoman army until his withdrawal from Iraq in 1920; after that, his father, Hassan Al Said, worked as a government employee in the Samawah Province for a while and moved to several cities and governorates by his job. He belongs to an Arab family whose origins go back to the Al-Jabour tribe, and his mother is from a Turkish family in Istanbul. Hassan Al Said married her while studying at the Istanbul military school.
1926-1929 Part of his childhood was spent in the city of Badra (belonging to the Kut District at the time), near the Zagros Mountains on the eastern borders, known for its woods and hills, under which the buildings and archaeological ruins of the civilizations of Mesopotamia were hidden. Due to the rain and the winds, the children found many ancient objects, and they played with them. These ancient objects sparked his attention and formed his first awareness of this civilization and its arts. Al-Kalal River passes his city, where he learned to swim and spent summer days and nights in his youth while he played in and around it with his peers.
1930 The artist’s family moved to the city of ‘Qal'at Sukkar,’ located on the Al-Gharraf River in central Iraq, containing orchards and sailing ships called “Al-Mahailat.” The scenes of this life were imprinted in Shakir's mind, especially what he was witnessing during Ashura from the processions of grief and consolation, as well as the horse races that were taking place outside the city.
1931 The artist’s family moved under his father’s job to the city of Kut, which is located on the Tigris River, where he studied in elementary school.
1932 The first signs of his passion for drawing began in infancy, and he was admired and encouraged by his school teachers, which motivated him to develop his first talent.
1933 His father was retired, and the family moved to Baghdad, specifically to Bab al-Sheikh District. Shakir then attended Dar Al-Salam School in the Hamada market district in Al-Karkh to complete his elementary education. It was there that he began to draw pictures in his books under the guidance of the school's art teacher.
1934 Studied the third year of elementary education at Dar Al-Salam School in Al-Karkh.
1935-1936 Moved to al-Rusafi school in Bab al-Sheikh district to complete his elementary education.
1937-1939 Completed his middle school studies at al-Rusafi School in Bab al-Sheikh. He continued to practice his hobby of drawing under the supervision of some art professors such as Farouk AbdulQader and Naseer Awni.
1940-1941 Moved to the central secondary school in Baghdad - Bab al-Muadham, joined the Youth organization with the school students, and focused on freehand sketching at this stage. He participated in the first sketch exhibition held by the artist Ata Sabri.
1942 Graduated from central secondary school and was employed in the Public Survey Directorate in the Drawing and Map Printing Department.
1943 Joined the higher institute of teachers in the Department of Social Sciences. He spent more time drawing in the university studio under the supervision of accomplished artists like Khalid Al-Jadir, Hafidh Al-Droubi, and Shawkat Al-Rassam. In parallel, he continued his work in the Public Survey Directorate.
1944-1947 Studied at the higher institute of teachers in Baghdad, where he spent four student years.
1948 After graduating from the Higher Teacher's Institute, he earned a BA in Social Sciences. He joined and led the Iraqi Fine Artists Association at the institute and organized its first exhibition. He was familiar with the works of Western painters and modern artists in Iraq.
1949 After returning from abroad, he met artist Jewad Selim. He worked as a teacher in the city of Baquba, first in the rural teachers' abode and then in Baquba secondary school. He taught in middle and secondary schools for a while before joining the Institute of Fine Arts to study art in evening drawing classes. During this time, he got to know many artists and writers.
1951 Contributed to the founding of the Baghdad Group for Modern Art with Jewad Selim, participated in writing and reading the group’s manifesto, and took part in its first exhibition at the Fashion Museum Hall in Baghdad.
1952 Participated in the art exhibition of the Ibn Sina Festival in Baghdad, in which he displayed four works.
1953 Held his first solo exhibition in Baghdad's hall of the Institute of Fine Arts. (The date of the artist’s first exhibition differed in some sources, some of which stated that it was in 1954).
1954 Graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts and obtained a diploma in painting. He participated in the third exhibition of the Baghdad Group of Modern Art.
1955 Participated in the itinerant exhibition in India, where he displayed five works.
1955-1959 Traveled to Paris to study culture, literature, and art and expand knowledge with unlimited passion. In Paris, he chose not to pursue a formal degree due to his circumstances at the time. Instead, he attended lectures on decorative art at the National School of Fine Arts (Beaux Arts), as well as at various institutes, museums, and artistic foundations. His main focus was to familiarize himself with the modern and contemporary artistic production of the time. What was important for him was to acquaint himself with modern and contemporary artistic production at the time.
He created numerous pieces in Paris and sold many of them there. The artworks are in a representational style and were inspired by Mesopotamian heritage and the colors of the southern environment in Iraq. Additionally, they drew inspiration from Iraqi folk tales and folklore.
During this time, he mastered the French language, allowing him to interact with the academic and everyday communities through speech and writing.
While in Paris, he was actively involved in supplying Arab and Iraqi newspapers and magazines with articles and artistic reportages on art worldwide. For example, the Beirut-based magazine "Al-Katib" published several of his artistic articles.
1957 Participated in the Iraqi Art Exhibition at the UNESCO conference in Beirut, where he displayed five works.
1959 Returned to Baghdad from Paris after the military coup led by Abdul Karim Qasim, all scholarships granted to Iraqi students were canceled, and they were returned to Iraq.
1961 Held a solo exhibition at the Jewad Selim Hall in the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad. The exhibition included many of his representative works from the fifties, which were inspired by popular figures, folklore, and daily life in Iraq.
1962 He held a solo exhibition at Baghdad’s Hall of the Institute of Fine Arts. Additionally, he had a joint exhibition with the sculptor Mohammad Ghani Hikmat in the hall of the Directorate of the Extension Center of the Central Region in Baghdad. He got married to a woman from the Al-Ma’touq family, who belonged to “Bani Tamim” in Abu Al-Khasib town in Basra. His eldest son, whom he named “Mahmood,” was born in Baghdad.
1964 Participated in the seventh exhibition of the Baghdad Group of Modern Art and published the book “The Artistic and Social Characteristics of Al-Wasiti’s Drawings,” issued by the Iraqi Ministry of Culture and Extension.
1965 The artist’s second son “Hassan” was born in Baghdad.
1966 Held a solo exhibition entitled "Reflections and Glances," which was held in the Gulbenkian Hall of the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad. Published his thoughtful manifesto and other articles in the literary supplement of the Al-Jumhuriya newspaper. An interview with the artist was conducted by Majid Al-Samaraie and was published in “AlAmiloon Fil Naft” magazine, issue no. (55).
1967-1969 Was sent to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to teach painting in Khobar. Later, he moved to Riyadh to continue teaching painting. During his time there, he developed his ideas about the environment, accumulation, erosion, tracing, and walls. He also held a solo exhibition in Riyadh. Additionally, he performed Hajj twice in Saudi Arabia, once while living in Al-Khobar, and once in Riyadh.
1969 After returning to Baghdad at the end of the school year, he was appointed as a teacher at a middle school in Baghdad. His book "Contemplative Studies" was published by the General Organization for Press and Printing - Dar Al-Jumhuriya Press. Additionally, he published the book "Features of Islamic Civilization in Fine Art" through the General Culture Directorate of the Ministry of Information - Al-Jumhuriya Press.
1970 His wife gave birth to twins, a girl named “Saba” and a son named “Rabi’” in Baghdad. He held a solo exhibition entitled “Drawings in Colors,” where he displayed 30 works.
1970-1980 Taught art history at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad.
1971 Founded the One Dimension Group and participated in its first exhibition at the Hall of the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad. On the occasion of the group’s first exhibition, he published his book “One Dimension - Art Inspires Letters,” issued by the Directorate of General Culture, Ministry of Information, Thunayan Press in Baghdad. He participated in the Baghdad Group exhibition on the 20th anniversary of the group's founding. He held a solo sketch exhibition at the Jewad Selim Hall in the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad.
1972 In its third issue of the fourth year, Al-Kalima magazine published an article by the artist entitled “The Return of the Stabbing Head to the Body.”
1973 The second exhibition of the One Dimension Group was held at the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad. On the occasion of the exhibition, the second edition of the book “One Dimension - Art Inspires Letters” was published, which he presented in his article entitled “The Philosophical, Technical and Expressive Aspects of One Dimension.”
He contributed to establishing the “Association of Arab Calligraphist Artists.” On the occasion of the Arab Artists Conference held in Baghdad, he published his book “Artistic Statements in Iraq,” issued by the Directorate of Public Arts, Ministry of Information, AlHuriya Printing House, Al-Jumhuriya Press. His fifth son “Ayman” was born in Baghdad.
1974 Held a solo exhibition entitled "Meditative Visions" at the Jewad Selim Hall in the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad, where he displayed 50 works. He published a book entitled “Freedom in Art,” issued by the Directorate of Public Arts, Ministry of Information.
1975 Participated in the Cagnes-sur-Mer exhibition in France and won the National Award.
1976 Participated in the Venice Biennial in Italy. In its seventh issue, Afaq Arabiya magazine published an article by the artist entitled “Artwork between Existence and Possibility.”
1977 Participated in the Arab Art Exhibition at the Iraqi Cultural Center in London. He continued to develop and experiment on the surfaces of his works with his ideas about cracks and wall fissures. He held a solo exhibition from a documentary perspective at Al-Wasiti Hall of the Iraqi National Museum of Modern Art in Baghdad.
1978 Held a solo exhibition at the Sultan Gallery in Kuwait, where he displayed 25 works.
1979 Participated in the fifteenth São Paulo Biennial in Brazil. He held a solo exhibition entitled "Walls from the Age of Redemption" in the Al-Riwaq Hall in Baghdad, where he displayed 20 works, and another solo exhibition at the Iraqi Cultural Center in Beirut. Participated in an exhibition of Iraqi artists at the Iraqi Cultural Center in London.
1980 Participated in a joint exhibition with Naja El Mahdaoui in Tunisia.
1981 Held a solo exhibition entitled "Tracing and Language" at the Al-Riwaq Hall in Baghdad. In its third issue, Afaq Arabiya magazine published an article by the artist entitled “Architecture and Drawing Art.”
1982 Headed the Auditing and Aesthetic Studies division in the Fine Arts Department. He began writing a book entitled "History of the Fine Arts Movement in Iraq." He devoted himself to conducting numerous studies and paintings, attempting to crack, fissure, and puncture the surfaces of his artistic works. He published his book about Hafidh Al-Droubi, which was issued by the Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture and Information, and Arab House Press in Baghdad. He held a solo exhibition at the Sultan Gallery in Kuwait, displaying 18 works. Founon Arabiya magazine published his article entitled “Basic Concepts in my Current Artistic Vision” in its seventh issue.
1983 Joined the International Association of Art Critics (AICA) and participated in the Association's Festival in Venezuela. He held his solo exhibition “Reflections on Wartime” at Al-Riwaq Gallery in Baghdad. The first volume of his book, “Chapters from the History of the Fine Arts Movement in Iraq,” was published by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Publishing, Ministry of Culture and Information.
1984 Al-Jumhuriya newspaper published an article by the artist entitled “The Truth of the Universal Vision in Artistic Achievement and the One-Dimensional Philosophy” in its issue No. 5368. Afaq Arabiya magazine published an article by him, “From the Features of Iraqi Fine Art in the Twenties and Thirties,” in its first issue.
1985 Held a solo exhibition, “The Meditation of Objectivity,” at Al-Riwaq Hall in Baghdad, where he displayed 26 works. He was honored by the Iraqi Fine Artists Association.
1986 Participated in the Baghdad International Festival held at the Center of Arts and won its first prize. Then, he participated in the New Delhi Triennale in India. He held a solo exhibition for a collection of sketches, "War and Peace," at Baghdad Hall. These drawings were collected in a book published in the same year entitled “War and Peace” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information. He held a solo exhibition at the Sultan Gallery in Kuwait, where he displayed 29 works. With six Arab painters, he participated in the Baghdad International Fine Arts Festival, which was held every two years and won the first prize.
1987 Held a solo exhibition entitled “Documentary Sketches” in the Palace of Culture and Arts in Baghdad, a solo exhibition, “Objective Cases” at Baghdad Hall, and participated in the Gulf countries - Paris joint exhibition and won the exhibition medal.
1988 Held two solo exhibitions at Baghdad Hall and Center of Arts. He participated with artists Amer Al-Obaidi and Ali Talib in the Iraqi Artists Exhibition held in Kuwait at the Arts Hall in the Abdullah Al-Salem suburb, sponsored by the National Council for Culture and Arts. He published the second part of his book, “Chapters from the History of the Fine Arts Movement in Iraq,” issued by the House of General Cultural Affairs (Afaq Arabiya).
Also, he published the book “Khalil Al-Ward as a Sculptor,” issued by the Department of Arts, Ministry of Culture and Information, AlHuriya Printing House, a book entitled “At the Outskirts of the Trench of Martyrdom,” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information and another book entitled “The Cultural and Aesthetic Principles of Arabic Calligraphy” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information. Asfar magazine published his article in its ninth issue, "Reflections on the Art of Youth.”
1989 Held a solo exhibition, "Between Accumulation and Erosion," at the Center of Art and a solo exhibition at the Sultan Gallery in Kuwait, where he displayed 20 works. He participated in an exhibition with Arab and foreign artists entitled "Interweaving of Signs" at the Institute of the Arab World in Paris.
1990 Participated in an exhibition of seven Iraqi artists at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman
1991 Published the book “Jewad Selim - the Artist and the Others,” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information. Afaq Arabiya magazine published an article by the artist entitled “Plastic Reflections on Space, Earth, and the Wall” in its sixteenth July issue.
1992 Held a solo exhibition entitled “Presenting the Spatial Meaning of Time” at the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman, and he became the artistic cultural advisor in their foundation. He held another solo exhibition, “Presenting the Spatial Meaning of Time,” at the Jordanian National Gallery of Fine Art in Amman. He published his book “Contemporary Iraqi Fine Art,” issued by the Arab Organization of Education, Culture, and Science.
1993 Continued researching, experimenting, depicting, and developing his work in the 'one dimension.' He began to explore the use of light, stippling, burning, and puncturing in his artwork, as well as creating double-sided pieces. He frequently traveled between Amman and Baghdad. Participated in the contemporary Arab art exhibition at Aba’ad Art Gallery in Amman. Al-Aqlam magazine published his article, "The Essence of the Relationship between Poetry and Painting.”
1994 Established a seminar entitled ‘Aesthetic Discourse’ at the Center of Arts in Baghdad at the request of the center’s director, Amer Al-Obaidi. A retrospective honorary exhibition was held for him at the Center of Arts in Baghdad. He participated in the fourth One Dimension exhibition at Aba’ad Gallery in Amman and participated with Iraqi artists in an exhibition held at Baghdad Hall. He published the second edition of his book “Freedom in Art,” issued by the Arab Foundation for Studies and Publishing in Beirut. He published the book “Essays on Theory and Art Criticism,” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information.
1995 Held a solo exhibition of double-sided works at the Baghdad Hall in Baghdad. He delivered a lecture at the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation titled "Ambient Art from a One-Dimensional Perspective." Later, a series of his lectures were published in a book called "Dialogue of Fine Art" by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in the same year.
1996 Held a solo exhibition of single and double-sided artworks at the French Cultural Center in Amman and another one at the 70 * 50 Gallery in Beirut. He participated in the fifth One Dimension exhibition at Aba’ad Gallery in Amman. He received the honorary shield from the Jordanian Fine Artists Association.
1997 Held a solo exhibition at the French Cultural Center in Baghdad. He participated in the exhibition “Environment, Surroundings, and Ecology in Iraqi Art” at the Athar Gallery in Baghdad as well as in the “Environment and Surroundings” exhibition at the Hall of the Jordanian National Gallery of Fine Art in Amman.
1998 Held a solo exhibition of “Doubles and Allusions” at Artemis Gallery in Tunisia and a solo exhibition at Al-Riwaq Gallery in Bahrain (This was the last exhibition outside Iraq that the artist attended in person). Artist Rafa Nasiri filmed a short video that included a dialogue with the artist in the same exhibition. He published the book “I am the Dot Above the Letter F” issued by the General Cultural Affairs House, Ministry of Culture and Information.
1999 Held a solo exhibition of his nineties works at Athar Gallery in Baghdad. This year, the artist began to show the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
2000 His works participated in the exhibition “Journeys with Contemporary Arts in the Arab World: Contemporary Artists from Mesopotamia” at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman.
2001 A retrospective exhibition for the artist was held at Athar Gallery in Baghdad under the artist's supervision and presence, and this was the last solo exhibition that the artist attended.
2003 A retrospective exhibition was held for him without his presence at the Sixth Sharjah International Biennial in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates in cooperation with Athar Gallery in Baghdad, and his book entitled “Searching in the Jewel of Devotion” was published as part of the Biennial’s activities, issued by the Department of Culture and Information in Sharjah. An exhibition, “50 Years of Creation of Shakir Hassan Al-Said,” was held for him without his presence at Dar Al-Anda in Amman. A retrospective exhibition was held for him without his presence at the Besan Gallery in Doha, Qatar, in cooperation with the Athar Gallery in Baghdad. Some of his works were displayed in the permanent exhibition of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman.
Before his passing, the artist created his final work. It features paper squares arranged in a collage style, with white color on both sides and a dot in the center. The artwork is approximately one meter in height and 35 cm wide. The artist framed it during his lifetime, and the piece is still framed and preserved within the artist's family.
March 4, 2004 Passed away at the age of seventy-nine at his home in the Al-Mu'allimeen neighborhood in the Al-Mashtal area, surrounded by his family. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease for over five years. He was laid to rest at the Al-Karkh cemetery in Baghdad, and a funeral gathering was held for him at the Al-Rubaie Mosque in the Zayouna area.
2004 Shoman Foundation held a joint retrospective exhibition entitled “Homage to the Iraqi Artists Shakir Hassan Al-Said, Ismail Fattah and Nuha Radi,” which was presented by Rafa Nasiri, recalling the pioneering role of the artist Shakir Hassan Al-Said in contemporary Iraqi art, his philosophy of art, his role in artistic criticism and theorizing, and his experiences over the ten years, which is considered one of the most mature experiments in contemporary Arab art. Orfali Gallery in Amman held another retrospective exhibition of him on the fortieth day of his death. Athar Gallery in Baghdad held a retrospective exhibition entitled “Homage to Ismail Fattah, Homage to Shakir Hassan Al-Said.”
2005 A retrospective exhibition was held for him on the first anniversary of his death at the Tunis Museum of Modern Art in cooperation with Athar Gallery in Baghdad.
2010 A book about him entitled “Shakir Hassan Al-Said and the Theory of Arab Art” was published by Dr. Nizar Chakroun and presented by Charbel Dagher, issued by Mohammad Ali Publishing House in Tunisia.
2011 A retrospective exhibition was held for him on the seventh anniversary of his death as part of the second cultural program held at the Peace House / Foundation for Human Dialogue in London, and architect Mohamed Makiya presented the exhibition.
2013 A book about him entitled “Shakir Hassan Al-Said: A Memory Without Borders” was published by Dr. Shawqi Al-Moussawi, issued by the Department of Fine Arts, Ministry of Culture and Information, Al-Eik Press in Baghdad.
2015 Some of his works were displayed in the exhibition “Rituals of Signs and Transformations 1975-1995,” held by the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation in Amman.
2016 A book about him entitled “Shakir Hassan Al-Said: An Intellectual Artistic Biography” was published and edited by Suhail Sami Nader and issued by Mesopotamia Printing and Publishing House.
2018 The Public Arts Department of the Ministry of Culture held a retrospective exhibition for the artist by signing a book about his artistic career, edited by Ali Al-Dulaimi, entitled “Shakir Hassan Al-Said and his Aesthetic Discourse in Fine Art.”
2021 The artist’s family, through Skira Publishing House in Paris, published a book entitled “Shakir Hassan Al-Said: The One and Art” edited by Charbel Dagher. The artist's family also published his book entitled "Memoirs of a Pilgrim to Makkah" in cooperation with Dar Khotot and Thelal for Publishing and Distribution in Amman.

Language Undefined

1925 ولد الفنان شاكر حسن آل سعيد في السماوة في منطقة قريبة من موقع الوركاء الاثري في وسط العراق لوالد موظف حكومي.
1928 نشأت طفولته في مدينة بدرة قريب جبال زاجروس على الحدود الشرقية المعروفة بأحراشها وتلالها التي تخبأ تحتها أبنية وأطلال آثارية لحضارات وادي الرافدين، ونتيجة عوامل التعرية فأن الكثير من اللقى والاسطوانات والفخاريات سيظهر على سطح الأرض فيلعب به الأولاد. وكان يمر في مدينته نهر "الكلال" حيث تعلم السباحة وقضى نهارات وليالي الصيف في صباه وهو يلعب فيه وحوله مع أترابه.
1930 انتقلت عائلة الفنان الى مدينة "قلعة سكر" التي تقع على نهر الغراف في وسط العراق حيث تكثر البساتين ويمخر عبابه السفن الشراعية والتي تسمى ب "المهيلات". طبعت في ذهن الطفل مظاهر هذه الحياة وتفاصيلها وخاصة بما كان يشاهده أثناء عاشوراء من مواكب الحزن والعزاء وكذلك سباقات الخيول التي كانت تجري خارج المدينة.
1931 في مدينة الكوت والتي تقع على نهر دجلة، درس في المدرسة الابتدائية.
1932 بدأ يرسم ولقى اعجاباً من قبل مدرسيه في المدرسة.
1933 تم احالة والده على التقاعد وانتقلوا الى بغداد للعيش هناك ودخل في مدرسة دار السلام في الكرخ لإكمال دراسته الابتدائية وبدأ يرسم نفس الصور الموجودة في كتبه بتوجيه من مدرس الرسم في المدرسة
1935 انتقلوا الى مدرسة الرصافي في محلة باب الشيخ وأكمل دراساته الاعدادية والمتوسطة والثانوية هناك.
1941 انتقل الى الاعدادية وانضم الى منظمة الفتوة من خلال طلاب المدرسة وركز على رسم الكاريكاتير والتخطيط في هذه المرحلة واشترك في اول معرض للتخطيط اقامه الفنان عطا صبري.
1942 تخرج من الاعدادية وتوظف في مديرية المساحة العامة في قسم رسم وطبع الخرائط.
1943 – 1948 درس في كلية دار المعلمين العالية في قسم العلوم الاجتماعية استغل وقته في الرسم في كلية من خلال معلميه خالد الجادر وحافظ الدروبي وشوكت الرسام وانضم وترأس جمعية الفنانين في دار المعلمين واقام اول معرض لهم في عام 1948 واطّلع على فن الرسامين الغرب وفنانين الفن الحديث في العراق.
1949 تعرف على الفنان جواد سليم بعد رجوعه من الخارج وعمل كمدرس في مدينة بعقوبة اولاً في دار المعلمين الريفية وبعدها ثانوية بعقوبة. انضم الى معهد الفنون الجميلة في درس فن الرسم في المساء تعرف على الكثير من الفنانين والادباء.
1951 ساهم بتأسيس جماعة بغداد للفن الحديث مع جواد سليم واشترك في معرضها الاول على قاعة متحف الازياء في بغداد.
1952 اشترك في المعرض الفني عبر مهرجان ابن سينا في بغداد وعرض فيه أربع اعمال.
1954 تخرج من معهد الفنون الجميلة ونال دبلوم الرسم واقام اول معرض شخصي له على قاعة معهد الفنون الجميلة واشترك في المعرض الثالث لجماعة بغداد.
1955 اشترك في المعرض المتجول في الهند وعرض فيه خمسة اعمال.
1955 – 1959 سافر الى باريس للدراسة وهو بكامل مميزات الفنان المثقف والموهوب، وفي باريس لم ينال شهادة بل حضر محاضرات عن الفن الزخرفي في مدرسة الفنون الجميلة الوطنية البوزار وبعض المعاهد والمتاحف والمؤسسات الفنية. ما كان مهما لديه هو الاطلاع على النتاج الفني الحديث والمعاصر آنذاك وقد أنتج اعمال عديده في باريس وقد باع العديد منها في باريس، كانت الاعمال تشخيصية تميل للزُخرفيه والانطباعية التكعيبية متأثرا في تلك الحقبة ب بيكاسو وبول كلي وبراك، وقد تقاربت اعماله بأعمالهم إلا ان المواضيع اختلفت. وهو أثناء ذلك تعلم التحدث والكتابة باللغة الفرنسية بشكل أهلّه التواصل مع المجتمع الدراسي واليومي. واثناء من وجوده في باريس كان للفنان نشاطا ادبيا ونقديا في رفد الصحف والمجلات العربية والعراقية بالمقالات والمتابعات الفنية عن الفن بالعالم. وعلى سبيل المثال نشرت له مجلة (الكاتب) البيروتية العديد من المقالات الفنية.
1957 اشترك في المعرض الفني العراقي في مؤتمر اليونسكو في بيروت وعرض فيه خمس اعمال.
1961 رجع الى بغداد واقام معرض شامل له على قاعةجواد سليم في المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث. كما نشر عدّة مقالات في القسم الادبي من صحيفة الجمهورية.
1962 اقام اول معرض شامل على قاعة معهد الفنون الجميلة في بغداد. معرض مشترك مع النحات محمد غني في بغداد.
1964 اشترك في المعرض السابع لجماعة بغداد.
1966 اقام معرض بعنوان "تأملات ومعارج" على قاعة المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد (قاعة كولبنكيان).
1968 – 1969 تم ارساله الى المملكة العربية السعودية لتدريس الرسم في الخُبَر وبعدها الرياض وطَوّر في هذه الفترة أفكاره حول البيئة والتراكم والتعرية وحول الجدار.
1971 أسس جماعة البعد الواحد واشترك في معرضها الأول على قاعة المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد واشترك في معرض جماعة بغداد بمناسبة مرور عشرين عاماً على تأسيس الجماعة واقام معرض شخصي للتخطيطات على قاعة المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد. ونشر كتابه "البعد الواحد"،
1973 المعرض الثاني للبعد الواحد في المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد
1974 اقام معرض بعنوان "رؤى تأملية" على قاعة جواد سليم في المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد
1975 اشترك في معرض "كان سور مير" في فرنسا. وفي نفس العام أصدر كتاب بعنوان "الحرية في الفن" وحاز على الجائزة القومية.
1976 اشترك في بينالي البندقية في إيطاليا.
1977 اشترك في معرض الفن العربي في المركز الثقافي العراقي في لندن واستمر يطور ويجرّب على سطوح أعماله أفكاره حول الصدوع والتكسرات الجدارية والشقوق. اقام معرض شخصي من منظور وثائقي في المتحف الوطني للفن الحديث في بغداد.
1978 اقام معرض شخصي على قاعة السلطان في الكويت.
1979 اشترك في "بينالي ساو باولو" الخامس عشر في البرازيل واقام معرض شخصي بعنوان "جدران من عصر الفداء" على قاعة الرواق في بغداد ومعرض بعنوان "الاثر واللغة" على قاعة الرواق في بغداد.
1979 اقام معرض شخصي في المركز الثقافي العراقي في بيروت. شارك في معرض للفنانين العراقيين في المركز الثقافي العراقي في لندن.
1980 اقام معرض مشترك مع نجا المهداوي في تونس
1982 بدأ بكتابة كتاب بعنوان "تاريخ الحركة التشكيلية في العراق" وتفرغ لعمل دراسات عديدة والرسم وجرّب الفتحات والفوهات الفاغرة فاها على سطوح أعماله الفنية.
1983 انضم الى رابطة نقاد الفن العالمية (الايكا) واشترك في مهرجان الرابطة في فنزويلا. اقام معرض شخصي "تأملات في زمن الحرب" في كاليري الرواق في بغداد.
1985 اقام معرض شخصي على قاعة الرواق في بغداد.
1986 اشترك في مهرجان بغداد العالمي الذي اقيم على قاعة صدام للفنون وحاز على الجائزة الاول فيه(جائزة صدام للفنون)، ثم اشترك في ترینالي نيو دلهي في الهند، وفي نفس العام ألّفَ كتاب بعنوان "الحرب والسلام – مجموعة تخطيطات".
1987 معرض "مخططات وثائقية" على قاعة القصر في بغداد.
1988 اشترك في معرض مع فنانين عرب وأجانب بعنوان "تواشج العلامات" في معهد العالم العربي في باريس، واقام معارض شخصية على قاعة بغداد ومركز صدام للفنون، ومعرض تخطيطات شامل على قاعة قصر الثقافة والفنون في بغداد.
1989 اقام معرض شخصي بعنوان "ما بين التراكم والتعرية" على قاعة بغداد.
1992 اقام معرض شخصي "عرض المعنى المكاني للوقت" (من جدول المعارض) في مؤسسة عبد الحمید شومان في عمان وأصبح المستشار الثقافي الفني في المؤسسة واقام معرض شخصي اخر على قاعة المتحف الوطني الأردني للفن الحديث في عمان.
1993 استمر الفنان بالبحث والتجربة وتطوير تجاربه حول البعد الواحد وتوصل الى أفكار إدخال الضوء والتنقيط وحرق وخرق العمل الفني وكذلك بدأ اشتغاله على الاعمال المزدوجة. وبقي يتنقل بين عمان وبغداد. (شارك في) معرض الفن العربي الحديث في مركز أبعاد عمان.
1994 أسس سمينار بعنوان "الخطاب الجمالي" في مركز صدام للفنون في بغداد بناءً على طلب مدير المركز عامر العبيدي وأُقيم له معرض تكريمي شامل على قاعة المركز في بغداد واشترك في معرض البعد الواحد الرابع على قاعة أبعاد في عمان. شارك مع فنانين عراقيين في معرض أقيم على قاعة بغداد.
1995 اقام معرض شخصي للوحات المزدوجة على قاعة بغداد في بغداد.
1996 اقام معرض شخصي للوحات المزدوجة والأحادية على المركز الثقافي الفرنسي في عمان واشترك في معرض البعد الواحد الخامس على قاعة ابعاد في عمان واقام ايضاً معرض شخصي على قاعة 70*50 في بيروت.
1997 اشترك في معرض البيئة والمحيط والإيكولوجيا في الفن العراقي على قاعة أثر في بغداد وعلى قاعة المتحف الوطني الأردني في عمان واقام معرض شخصي في المركز الثقافي الفرنسي في بغداد.
1998 اقام معرض شخصي لمتواريات ومزدوجات على قاعة ارتيمس في تونس و معرض شخصي اخر على قاعة الرواق في البحرين.
1999 أقام معرض شخصي لأعماله التسعينية على قاعة أثر في بغداد.
2001 أُقيم له معرض إستعادي شامل على قاعة أثر في بغداد بحضور ومشاركة الفنان.
2003 أُقيم له معرض تكريمي في بينالي الشارقة الدولي السادس في الشارقة في الامارات العربية المتحدة بالتعاون مع كاليري أثر في بغداد ومعرض شخصي لأعمال مختارة في دار الأندی في عمان ومعرض تكريمي في كاليري بیسان في الدوحة في قطر بالتعاون مع كاليري أثر في بغداد.
2004 توفى الفنان عن عمر يناهز التسعة وسبعون عاماً في بغداد ودفن فيها.
2005 أُقيم له معرض تكريمي بمناسبة السنوية الأولى لوفاته في متحف تونس للفن الحديث بالتعاون مع كاليري أثر في بغداد.

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