Majnun Layla no.1 (Layla’s Mask)

Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi is one of the leading figures of modern Arab art. His work brings together recognised literature, history, and visual form. As a founding member of the New Vision Group, he explored ways to connect Iraq’s artistic heritage with wider cultural conversations across the Arab world.

Majnun Layla no. 1 is part of a series of three paintings. The legendary tale of Majnun and Layla inspired it. Although Azzawi explores this tale many times, this series focuses on the theme of betrayal, symbolised by a large, striking mask that dominates the canvas.

The painting is filled with energy. Bright layers of colour and bold black lines create movement and tension. Within these shifting shapes, the faint outline of a mask appears. Its dark, deep-set eye draws the viewer’s gaze, and the sharp features recall ancient Mesopotamian sculpture. This is a nod to the artist’s background in archaeology. The blue frame, inscribed by Azzawi with the title “Majnun Layla”, connects the work to its literary source.

Rather than illustrating the plot, Azzawi expresses the story’s emotional core through abstraction. The result is a painting that merges myth and modernity, personal feeling with collective memory. It reflects his search for a visual language that is both contemporary and rooted in Arab heritage.