Al Baghdady (The Man from Baghdad)

Faisal Laibi Sahi’s body of work is widely known for reflecting on modern Iraq and notions of patriotism, which are portrayed through vibrant representations. His distinctive painterly style is strongly inspired by Mesopotamian heritage, Islamic art, and the folklore of Iraq. Al Baghdady depicts a noble figure of Iraqi society as referenced through his traditional garments and how he is holding the misbaha (prayer beads) as an indication of his high social status. The complexity of the artist’s approach to these characters presents new ways of reading their multilayered cultural identity, often from a satirical lens.