Alaa Abou Shaheen

Born: 1983

Biography:

Alaa Abou Shaheen was born in 1983 and graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus University in 2006. He later worked as a Fine Arts Assistant professor in Aleppo during the years of 2010 and 2011. Alaa has held several exhibitions between 2005 and 2012 in his homeland, Homs, Aleppo, Amman, Beirut and Paris. He won a couple of awards; Palmyra Festival’s First National Youth Sculpture Symposium in Homs as well as received the third prize in sculpture from Gallery Kamel. The artist is currently living and practicing sculpting in Paris. Alaa Abou Shaheen's work often incorporates elements of social commentary, satire, and irony, using characters and animals to critique societal norms and politics. His sculptures are made from recycled metal, which he shapes through hammering, heating, and welding. He also creates collages using paper scraps, advertisements, and other materials, often incorporating paint and drawing to add texture and depth. Abou Shaheen's work has been exhibited in various galleries and museums around the world, including Paris, Beirut, and Dubai.