Biography
Edward Shahda, born in Hama in 1952, is a distinguished Syrian artist known for his spiritually resonant and evocative mixed media works. Educated at the Suhail Ahdab Center in Hama and the Faculty of Fine Arts at Damascus University, Shahda further refined his craft during a residency at the Anatoli Klankov Atelier in Russia. His distinctive approach combines acrylics, oils, and Indian ink to portray sombre-faced figures, predominantly women, often bending traditional perspectives to create emotionally charged and mythologically rich scenes.
Shahda’s innovative use of color contrasts with his monochromatic cityscapes, infusing his work with profound visual and emotional tension. As he puts it, “I take special care to prepare the colour for each painting. The visual tension issued by a specific colour, by its proximity to others, tempts me… I believe that a small spot of colour can carry a vaster amount of drama and expression than a whole novel.” His art has been showcased in numerous prestigious international solo and group exhibitions across Syria, Russia, Lebanon, Egypt, Dubai, Turkey, the US, Canada, France, Switzerland, and China. Noteworthy exhibitions include the 2005 Second International Biennale Beijing and the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris in 2008.
Artwork
