(b. 1944) Born in 1944 in Najaf, Iraq, Massoudy grew up in a traditional society. To pursue his art, he moved to Baghdad (1961) and was an apprentice to various calligraphers. He learned the different classical styles of calligraphy while also studying graphic design and fine arts. In 1969, amidst unfolding of political events and ensuing dictatorship, he fled Iraq for France and entered the École des Beaux-Arts where he studied figurative painting. He continued to work on calligraphy by doing headlines for Arabic magazines to pay for his studies until he received his degree in 1975. From 1972, he started collaborating with other creatives in combining music, poetry, and calligraphies to produced live shows such as "Arabesque" (1972-1985); a ballet production (1995) and "Metaphore" (2005). Massoudy’s work was first exhibited in Musee des Beaux-Arts, Pau, France in 1981; since then, his works were exhibited extensively in France and the Middle East. They were also used as the primary promotional image for the British Museum’s 2006 exhibition, Word Into Art: Artists of the Modern Middle East. Most recently, the artist held a solo exhibition, "Breath, Gesture and Light" (2017) in London, UK. Massoudy continues to live and work in France.