Baghdad Journal: An Artist in Occupied Iraq

by Steve Mumford

An explosive conflict, as seen through the eyes of a war artist. Bagdad Journal is the outstanding culmination of four voyages to war-torn Iraq by artist Steve Mumford. In the long tradition of war artists, particularly Winslow Homer's work for Harper's Magazine , Mumford meticulously documents the everyday scenes of Iraq in bold, breathtaking watercolors and drawings and paints a human side of the war that can be lost in the immediacy of photographic and broadcast images. Not overtly political, Bagdad Journal presents portraits of life from all sides of the polarizing conflict. With sketch pad and notebook in hand, Mumford illuminates the routine activities of a nation in turmoil-from the individual soldiers of American platoons to Baghdad residents going about their daily lives amid the chaos surrounding them. There will be a traveling exhibit of artwork from Baghdad Journal and presentations by Mumford on his Iraq experience in conjunction with the publication of this book.

Genres: History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 15, 2005

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific collection of essays and paintings made by artist Steve Mumford during visits to Baghdad. Most impressive is that Mumford kept the book relatively politics-free. Iraqi civilians offer all manner of opinions, as do American G.I.s, and Mumford allows them to speak without his opinions filtering theirs. The prose is colorful and engaging, and the paintings are engaging and well done.

[Hell Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for Memorial day.

[Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm just getting started but this book is freakin beautiful