Iraqi artist preserves tradition of shanasheel through hand-carved craftsmanship

HILLA — For decades, Iraqi artist Saad Mubarak has dedicated himself to preserving shanasheel — the intricate wooden facades that once adorned the upper stories of homes in Iraq’s historic cities. Once symbols of urban refinement and social prestige, shanasheel remain iconic features of architectural heritage in cities like Basra, Baghdad, and Hilla.

“Because of the environment I grew up in, I developed a love for shanasheel,” Mubarak told 964media. “The facades of homes used to be adorned with this style of architecture, like the houses of the Shallah and Qazwana families.”

Rejecting the use of modern tools like CNC routers, Mubarak insists on traditional, manual craftsmanship. “Most pieces are handmade. I don’t use machines because they take away the spirit of the artwork,” he said. Some works take more than a month to complete, depending on their size and complexity.

Historically, shanasheel appeared on the homes of affluent families and community figures, especially in Basra’s Nazarán district and the winding quarters of old Baghdad. Mubarak sees the architectural form as a cultural thread stretching across Iraq, linking styles in Basra, Baghdad, Hilla, and even Mosul, where Ottoman influences blend with Islamic motifs.

Despite completing projects in nearly every Iraqi governorate, Mubarak has yet to produce a major work in his hometown. “I only have one small piece in Hilla and one at a local restaurant,” he said. “Most of my work is outside the governorate.”

His art has reached international audiences, with pieces exhibited in Australia and France and six large murals completed in Jordan’s capital, Amman. One of his most significant achievements was covering an entire house in Mosul with shanasheel, a yearlong project that earned recognition from Mosul Governor Najm al-Jubouri.

“I’ve never entered a competition. I only participate in major festivals,” Mubarak said. His most recent showing was at the Babylon International Festival for Cultures and World Arts.

Still, his ambitions remain rooted at home. “I dream of creating my first major work in Hilla,” he said.