I'M
Sam shehab.
INTERDISCIPLINARY DESIGNER ARTIST
ARCHITECTECT
FILM MAKER & ART DIRECTOR
Biography
Sam Shehab is an artist, educator, researcher, and advocate of social culture, working primarily at the intersection of our environment and human behavior. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar, Sam Shehab's work explores the complexities of our relationship with nature and challenges societal norms. As an interdisciplinary designer with a background in architecture, Shehab blends creativity with technical precision to create innovative and thought-provoking designs. Shehab exhibited art and designs internationally, including documentaries at COP-27 in Sharm El-Shiekh, Egypt; St. Petersburg, Russia; Tehran Design Week in Iran; and Dubai Design Week in the UAE.
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Shehab has received all levels of grants and awards to support his creative research, including Virginia Commonwealth University student grants to carry out his SkinFace research, a Doha Firestation Artist residency to explore more of the artistic side of his research, a British Council grant for COP-27 in Egypt, and an environmental conference in Lebanon.
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His artwork explores the recent attention to skin manipulation. Sam juxtaposes the lines of cleavage, a topographical map on our skin, with Cairo's environment in Metamorphosis. He compares skin to culture and identity. Through his artwork, Shehab aims to challenge societal notions of beauty and provoke discussions about the impact of environmental changes on our identity. He uses various mediums, such as sculpture, photography, and digital art, to capture the intricate details of the human skin and its connection to the surrounding environment. By juxtaposing these elements, Shehab encourages viewers to reflect on the ever-changing nature of both our physical appearance and the world we inhabit. His thought-provoking pieces have gained recognition not only in Qatar but also internationally, solidifying his status as a prominent artist in the field.
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Drawing from Shehab's passion for people watching, his narratives represent his multicultural upbringing and the uncomfortable social interactions of everyday life. Since there is no single truth to a situation, Sam leaves viewers experiencing uncomfortable situations. These situations challenge societal norms and shed light on the complexity of human interactions. Through his art, Shehab aims to spark conversations about the diverse perspectives and experiences that exist within our global community. By creating discomfort, he encourages viewers to question their own biases and preconceived notions, leading to a deeper understanding of and empathy for others. In this way, Shehab's art serves as a catalyst for change and a reminder that there is often more to a situation than meets the eye.
December 2018- Current
ADVANSYS ESC
Cairo-Egypt
September 2017- June 2018
Creative Director
DOHA FIRESTATION
Qatar Museums
Artist In Residence Studio 503
September 2017- July 2018
BLUESAIL PRODUCTIONS
Marketing Manager / Creative Director
2017 - 2018
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Art Foundation Teaching Assistant (Time Studio)
2016-2017
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
2015-2016
MFA Social Media Manager
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Digital Fabrication Lab Assistant
2015-2016
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Materials Library Assistant
2012-2015
Al FEREEJ CONSULTANCY & DESIGN - Doha
Design Lead
2011-2012
SODIC - Cairo
Designer / Architect
2008-2011
EL SHOROUK ACADEMY
Teaching Assistant
2007-2009
SODIC - Cairo
Marketing, Sales & Clients Technical Support
Through my art, I strive to capture the intricacies and complexities of human relationships, delving into the unspoken emotions and underlying tensions that permeate our everyday interactions. Through my art and design, I intend to convey the depth of these experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the discomfort and unease that often accompany social encounters. It is within this realm of vulnerability and rawness that I find the most profound inspiration.
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My interest and my research are about the human skin as an interface between the body and the environment. I started this research by collecting qualitative and quantitative data for human body augmentation. I have focused on the skin as an interface of interaction between the human body, the environment, and other individuals. How can we utilize the contemporary landscape for skin manipulation to benefit the human body and skin?
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The rationale behind human body augmentation during prehistoric times was purely due to cultural, tribal, or religious practices. However, in the contemporary landscape, it has been objectified and commercialized, such as through transhumanism experiments and replacing body parts with robotic prosthetics.
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This research investigates the recent attention to skin manipulation with the intent of focusing and experimenting on the lines of cleavage, which are the topographical map drawn on our skin, used to define the direction where the skin has the least flexibility. The aim is to manipulate the lines in order to achieve better boundaries.
ARTIST STATEMENT
CONTACT
SAM SHEHAB
Cairo, Egypt