Bassim Al Shaker is an Iraqi artist based in the United States. Bassim was born and raised in Baghdad, Iraq, during a period of political conflict and humanitarian torment. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Baghdad College of Fine Arts, with a focus on drawing and painting. His style is the culmination of a background in academic drawing and painting techniques and exploration in contemporary art. Bassim obtained his Master of Fine Arts degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Chicago-based artist on growing up in Iraq during the war and how his paintings endangered his life — and led to international acclaim.