Iraqi artist masters rare micro pencil carving art

Iraqi artist Murtaza al-Yabani successfully practices the rare art of pencil carving, creating fascinating sculptures and figures on the tips of pencils. Living in the capital Baghdad, 29-year-old Yabani specializes in this rare art form that requires great precision, patience, and meticulous attention. By carefully carving the tip of pencils, usually between 2 to 10 millimeters long, he produces beautiful and intricate micro sculptures. Completing a single piece can sometimes take weeks or even months. Yabani said he became interested in sculpture in middle school and began practicing this art during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. 'The art I create on pencil tips requires precision, concentration, and patience. It is a rare art; I believe only six people in the world practice it,' he said. He emphasized his persistence, saying, 'I tried 45 times and made mistakes before learning this art. But my determination helped me master it.' Yabani also noted the high costs of this art, explaining that he orders pencils from abroad for his work. He highlighted the physical difficulties of the craft, saying it can cause joint problems. 'I need to work at least five hours a day. During work, my head is bent, and I cannot engage with anything, not even my phone. My eyes have started to be affected. To avoid mistakes and prevent the pencil tip from breaking, sometimes you even have to hold your breath. One tiny error can ruin the whole piece. The smallest work can take 20 hours, which I divide over four days,' he added.