Wafaa Bilal uses blank books to rebuild Baghdad’s war-torn library

Khushbu Shah, CNN
3 minute read
Updated 9:51 PM EST, Thu February 4, 2016
Wafaa Bilal (right) is an Iraqi-American artist who had attended the University of Baghdad before the US invasion of Iraq. During the invasion, its library was destroyed. Now he plans to rebuild it...
Wafaa Bilal (right) is an Iraqi-American artist who had attended the University of Baghdad before the US invasion of Iraq. During the invasion, its library was destroyed. Now he plans to rebuild it...
Wafaa Bilal
Bilal (second left) spent a large portion of his student life in the library. During his days as a student, the library was home to thousands of books.
Bilal (second left) spent a large portion of his student life in the library. During his days as a student, the library was home to thousands of books.
Wafaa Bilal
Bilal had hoped to pursue art at university, but was forbidden by his family, and joined as a Geology student. Despite this, he spent the majority of his time reading art books and making art
Bilal had hoped to pursue art at university, but was forbidden by his family, and joined as a Geology student. Despite this, he spent the majority of his time reading art books and making art
Wafaa Bilal
Bilal showcased his artwork on campus. Here, he is pictured at a gallery exhibition of his own artwork at the University of Baghdad
Bilal showcased his artwork on campus. Here, he is pictured at a gallery exhibition of his own artwork at the University of Baghdad
Wafaa Bilal
Bilal is now based in New York but majority of his work as an artist today is inspired by his memories of Iraq. This photo is from his "The Ashes Series". According to Bilal, it "represents my attempt to make sense of destruction and to preserve the moment of serenity after the dust has settled: the give the ephemeral moment extended life in a mix of beauty and violence."
Bilal is now based in New York but majority of his work as an artist today is inspired by his memories of Iraq. This photo is from his "The Ashes Series". According to Bilal, it "represents my attempt to make sense of destruction and to preserve the moment of serenity after the dust has settled: the give the ephemeral moment extended life in a mix of beauty and violence."
wafaa bilal
It displays the impact of destruction on domestic spaces.
A Chandelier, The Ashes Series —
It displays the impact of destruction on domestic spaces.
wafaa bilal
Bilal lost his father and brother to the war.
A Bedroom, The Ashes Series —
Bilal lost his father and brother to the war.
wafaa bilal
He <a href="http://wafaabilal.com/the-ashes-series/" target="_blank" target="_blank">cites</a> his desire to return to the Iraq he once knew -- something that he knows is impossible -- as a driving force for the series.
A Pool, The Ashes Series —
He cites his desire to return to the Iraq he once knew -- something that he knows is impossible -- as a driving force for the series.
wafaa bilal
Bilal's latest project shifts focus from the ashes of destruction to rebuilding a future.
Bilal's latest project shifts focus from the ashes of destruction to rebuilding a future.
wafaa bilal
For this installation, he has created a forty foot long all white bookshelf.
For this installation, he has created a forty foot long all white bookshelf.
wafaa bilal
The shelf will hold 1,000 blank, white books.
The shelf will hold 1,000 blank, white books.
wafaa bilal
The interactive installation encourages visitors to donate books. In exchange, they will receive one blank, white book.
The interactive installation encourages visitors to donate books. In exchange, they will receive one blank, white book.
wafaa bilal