(1975 – )

Sam Shendi
Contemporary
Overview

Graduating in 1997 with a Cum Laude BA degree from Helwen University of Fine Arts in Cairo, Egyptian-born sculptor Sam Shendi creates joyfully coloured abstractions of the human figure which, with the subtlest of indicators, hints at the complexity of human interactions.

Shendi’s works reference the work of “minimalism”, the style of paring-down design elements and focusing on the medium of steel, aluminium and paint. Some of his works are deceptively simple in form but include the qualities of metaphorical associations, symbolism and suggestions of spiritual transcendence, which is what the artist of the 60’s and 70’s were trying to avoid.

His works whittle down the human figure to its simplest form enabling the exploration of the idea of the human form as a vessel. So by reducing the human body to a container or minimal shape, his creations become centered on an emotion or an expression. Simplicity is no longer the end result and devoid of meaning but a revelation of a hidden truth and intellectual expression.

Shendi’s work, therefore, takes a fine line between representation and abstraction. Whilst he appreciates the abstract form, his interest is in the human and psychological dimensions of his sculptures. Stripping human nature down to its essence, and then expressing it in a sculptural language.

Firmly based on modernist morphology his colorful architectural forms abbreviate the human figure and nod to his background in monumental sculpture and interior design. Shendi juxtaposes cartoonish lemon, ultraviolet and pumpkin-coloured blocks, conjuring associations with children’s toys and industrial design and lending his pieces an emotive and playful quality. His candy-coated palette animates the archetypal themes he addresses in his work. Assisted by the use of colour to deceive the eye, flouting a sense of gravity and taking the attention away from the material also gives the work a strong optical impact.

Sometimes we may feel the tension which despite their moderate size almost bears a ‘’will to grow’’ into monuments that we could easily imagine standing in the center of any city or landscape. Pieces balance between public art, sculptural and the border of design.

With laconic titles, his work takes on themes both in subject and style and it is clear to see pieces that group together in an exploration of an idea. They form a visual story and a unique style. There is always one important element, functioning as a keystone connecting all his creations – the theme of a human being in his most genuine form. Shendi always develops his creation around subjects, which are common, understandable and important to all of us, no matter what our taste, age, or cultural background may be.

Describing himself as a figurative sculptor it is important to Shendi that the work, however minimalistic, still has an impact on the viewer visually and emotionally. Recognizing his work as both literally geometric forms and industrial materials, but also with additional meaning in bringing back the idea of traditional academic sculpture of humanity and emotion, results in a distinctive blend of modernity and timelessness.

Exhibitions

2021

Sculptour Beukenhof 2021. Museum and Sculpture Park, Belgium

2020

Solo Exhibition, Motherland, Zamalek Art Gallery, Cairo

2020

Cairo Salon 59, The Palace of Art Museum, Cairo

2020

The Royal Sculptors Summer Exhibition. London.

2020  Sculptour Beukenhof 2020. Museum and Sculpture Park, Belgium

2019

Visual Arts Scotland. Society of Scottish Artists (SSA VAS) at The Royal Scottish Academy. Edinburgh.

2019

The Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition. Edinburgh. Scotland.

2019

Art Catto group show, Algarve. Portugal.

2019

Sculptour Beukenhof 2019. Museum and Sculpture Park, Belgium.

2019  London Art Fair, AN INC Gallery, London

2018  Solo Exhibition, Start Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London

2018

William Benington Gallery, Contemporary Sculpture Fulmer Group Show.

2018

Group Show, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa 

2017

Solo Exhibition, Seasons, Graham’s Fine Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2016

FLux, London UK

Solo Exhibition, Mother and Child, The Civic, Barnsley UK

Sculpture Exhibition, Doddington Hall, Lincoln, UK

Summer Exhibition, Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, Ockley, Surrey, UK

Group Exhibition, Adrien/Kavachnina Gallery, Paris

Group Exhibition, Hay Hill Gallery, London

Group Exhibition, Hignell Gallery, London

2015

Group Exhibition, Flux, Royal College of Art, London

Solo Exhibition, Body and Soul, West Studio, Munich

Solo Exhibition, Art at the Races, Baden Baden Racing event

Group Exhibition, Tarpey Gallery,East Midlands

Group Exhibition, Newby Hall, Ripon

Group Exhibition, The Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden, Surrey

Group Exhibition, ArtNaked, Library Club, Covent Garden, London

Group Exhibition, Flux, The Rag Factory London

2014

Solo Exhibition, Only Human, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery and Lister Park, Bradford

Solo Exhibition, Damside Mill, Haworth

2013

Bradford Open, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Bradford

Solo Exhibition, Royal British Society of Sculptors, London

Passion of Freedom, Embassy Tea Gallery, London

Cork Street Open Exhibition , London

HOT ONE HUNDRED. Schwartz Gallery. London

neo Art Prize Group Exhibition, Gallery 22, Bolton

SHE Joint Exhibition. Devoted To Gallery, Redbrick Mill, Batley

Vitruvius Nancy Victor Gallery,Group Show . London

The winner of FIRST@108 Public Art Award. RBS . London

The Collective, West Bank Gallery, Group Show . London

Affordable Art Fair. Stark Gallery. London

Store Street Gallery. London

Young Master. Curious Duke Gallery , Group show. London

First@108 Public Art Award exhibition. RBS . London

2012

Project 2012 End of the World Group Show. Mile End Pavilion. London.

Nancy Victor Gallery. Group Show. London.

International Exhibition of Contemporary Art, De Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Then and Now. Group Exhibition Royal Opera Arcade Gallery. London

The Grey wall. Front window display. Browns Menswear. London

Espacio Gallery. Group Exhibition. London.

Andrew Jose Salon. Group Show. . London

The Young Masters Auction & Exhibition. Cynthia Corbett Gallery. London

The Other Art Fair. London

Autumn Exhibition Debut Contemporary. London

Summer Exhibition Debut Contemporary. London

Spring Exhibition Debut Contemporary. London

Collections

Private Collections

  • Taiwan
  • London
  • Panama
  • California
  • Miami
  • Copenhagen
  • Germany
  • Argentina
  • France
  • UK
Awards

2013

First@108 Public ArtRBSS Award

Sam Shendi is a fellow of the Royal British Society of Sculptors

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