Title: Children and the Mountain

Artist: Ali Arkady

Year: 2022

Medium: Etchingraphy (original process developed by the artist) on copper plate, chemical acid transfer, natural metallic chemical patina, anti-oxidation protective coating (ink-free)

Dimensions: 29 x 9 cm (11.41 x 3.54 in)

Edition: Unique piece (1/1)

Price: €3,900

About the Artwork:

"Children and the Mountain" is a unique copper artwork created through "Etchingraphy," an innovative medium developed by Ali Arkady that bridges documentary photography and raw chemical metallurgy. The piece is derived from an original photograph captured by the artist depicting three displaced Yazidi children residing in a makeshift camp established within the ruins of Saddam Hussein's former palace atop the mountains near Duhok, Iraq.

Created entirely without printing ink or synthetic pigments, the visual scene is chemically embedded directly into the copper sheet. The distinct hues—most notably the striking reds of the children's jackets emerge from a precise, unrepeatable chemical reaction between the original image transfer, the copper substrate, and acid patination. Treated with an archival anti-oxidation sealant to halt further corrosion, this singular artifact stands as a tactile testament to displacement, childhood resilience, and historical memory.