Early Life and Formation in Baghdad Mahmoud Obaidi’s artistic journey began amidst the vibrant, yet increasingly turbulent, landscape of 1960s Baghdad, Iraq. Born in 1966, he received a foundational education in fine art at the Academy of Fine Arts, Baghdad, graduating in 1990. This period was pivotal, instilling in him not only technical skill but also a deep connection to his cultural heritage and a burgeoning awareness of the socio-political complexities surrounding him. The academy fostered a rich environment where traditional techniques were explored alongside contemporary approaches, s…