(1920- 1994)

Jabra was born in Bethlehem, Palestine, in 1920. He was educated at Arab College, Jerusalem, before going on to Cambridge University. After his return to Jerusalem, he taught English literature, and he taught art at al-Rashidiyyeh School and founded the Art Club in Jerusalem. In 1948, he fled to Baghdad. He was awarded a fellowship to Harvard University in 1952. Upon his return, he founded the Baghdad Group for Contemporary Art and held the post of editor-in-chief of the Arab Art Magazine and was President of the Association of Art Critics in Iraq.

In 1983, he was awarded the Taraga Europa Prize for culture by Inter Art Forum in Rome and received numerous other awards for his works and achievements. Jabra was also a distinguished novelist, poet and critic. His publications include seven novels, an autobiography, three collections of poetry, and eight collections of essays.

Jabra died in Iraq at the age of 74.

Untitled. Oil on canvas, 46x35cm, 1947.
courtesy: www.resistanceart.com