About the Artist
Burhan Saleh is an Iraqi-Turkmen artist, born in 1956 in Kirkuk, Iraq. He studied fine arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome, Italy, between 1978 and 1980. Since then, he has developed a diverse artistic practice and has exhibited his work both in the Netherlands and internationally. After leaving Iraq with his family, Saleh settled in the Netherlands in 2000. Following several years in Roermond, he moved to Goes in the province of Zeeland. The wide landscapes and open skies of Zeeland have since become an important source of inspiration for his work. During his daily bicycle rides through the countryside, he observes the subtle changes of light, color, and atmosphere that often find their way into his watercolor paintings and graphic works. Saleh’s work reflects both the complexity of human emotions and the quiet beauty of everyday life.
Influenced by his cultural background and personal history, he has developed a distinctive artistic language that brings together traditional artistic techniques and contemporary expression. His oeuvre ranges from figurative and expressive compositions to more abstract works. Saleh works with a variety of techniques and materials.
He is particularly known for his graphic art and printmaking, especially woodcuts, which he often enhances with acrylic paint. In addition, he works with linocut, pastel on cardboard, and acrylic and oil on canvas. His vibrant use of color, combined with strong contrasts and expressive textures, gives his work a powerful sense of depth, movement and emotional intensity.
BURHAN SALEH – Visual Artist
Website: www.burhansaleh.com
E-mail: info@burhansaleh.nl
https://www.facebook.com/burhan.saleh.9
https://www.instagram.com/burhansaleh.art/
Phone: +31(0)645247778
Exhibitions/ Portfolio
1982 Solo exhibition in Kirkuk, Iraq
1985 Member and founder of the Horizon Art Group in Iraq, wrote the Founding Manifest ”Follow Your Dream”.
1986 Solo exhibition in Baghdad, Iraq
1992 Dual Exhibition with his native artist, Mr. Amer Fatuhi at the Baghdad Museum of Modern Arts, Iraq.
1994 Solo exhibition at Toprak Bank Gallery, Ankara, Turkiye.
2000 Participated in the Mesopotamia Exhibition at Dimension Art Gallery, Washington, USA. 2002 Oct. Solo exhibition at EZERMAN Gallery, Dokkum, The Netherlands
2002 Nov. Participated in the group exhibition at the Festival of Iraqi Art & Culture in the Museon Museum, The Hague, The Netherlands
2003 Solo exhibition at Het Web Gallery, Doetinchem, The Netherlands
2003 Participated in the group exhibition ”Open Poortendag”, Buggenum, The Netherlands
2004 Dual exhibition with his native artist Sattar Kawoosh at Ezerman Gallery, Dokkum, The Netherlands.
2006 Group exhibition with four Dutch artists at Vogelvrij Gallery, Roermond, The Netherlands
2007 Dual exhibition, part of Art Manifestation, Meijel, The Netherlands
2008 Group exhibition, part of Art Manifestation, Meijel, The Netherlands
2009-2010 Various group exhibitions at La Remise Gallery, Roermond, The Netherlands
2011 Group exhibition at EtalArte, Roermond, The Netherlands
2011 Dual exhibition with Mr. Taieb Ayat, Wassenburg, Germany
2012 Solo exhibition at Gallery Hoeve Den Erver, Beek, The Netherlands
2017 Solo exhibition at the municipality ”Stadskantoor”, Goes, The Netherlands
2017 Group exhibition with his native artists Mr. Shaheen Ahmed and Camal Ibrahim at the Kirkuk Cultural Center (Kerkük Kültür Merkezi), Kirkuk, Iraq
2018 Solo exhibition at Gallery G-achttien 88, Baarland, The Netherlands
2023 Published work at the online collection of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Ar Rayyan – Qatar
2024 Dual exhibition at the Public Library of Goes as part of the project Cultuurcompagnon (initiative of Cultuurkwadraat), in collaboration with grapic artist Ton Lamper, Goes, The Netherlands
2025 Participant in het Kunstschouw Art Route, exhibiting at Land aan Zee, The Netherlands