Jordanian artist Shahed Jamhour shines in Denmark sculpture symposium

Debuting "Wedd," her latest sculpture, Jamhour showcased local talent internationally, standing as the first chosen Jordanian artist.

Shahed Jamhour
Shahed Jamhour. (Photos: Instagram/ @shahd_jjj)
Jordanian artist Shahed Jamhour is a true polymath, engaging in a wide array of artistic pursuits. From sculpting and photography to jewelry making, sewing, product design, and crafting, her talents are diverse. Yet, among these, sculpture holds a special place as her ultimate and unwavering favorite. The 24-year-old artist took her passion abroad as she was invited to take part in the International Wood Sculpture Symposium held in Ringkobing, Denmark from July 31 to August 5. Her first international stage, which also happened to be her first time departing from the Kingdom and even on a plane.اضافة اعلان

The first and only Jordanian sculptor selected from a global pool of over 95 applicantsJamhour, a sculpture graduate from the University of Jordan's Faculty of Arts, showcased her lasting dedication to the art. She stood out as the first and only Jordanian sculptor selected from a global pool of over 95 applicants to partake in the symposium, eventually narrowing down to just 14 participants.



‘Wedd’After submitting her proposal, she received the letter of approval, an achievement that made her feel, proud, yet overwhelmed as she put it. Describing her artistic approach, she elaborated on the significance of organic abstract shapes that are both visually pleasing and deeply meaningful. She emphasized the meticulous attention to detail that she infuses into her sculpting work, especially in her creation titled "Wedd."

Rigorous dedication from dawn till dusk
In an interview with Jordan News she shared “’Wedd’ means kindness in Arabic, and the reason I chose this name was because it holds the meaning of closeness to people in a lovely, kind, and fully emotional way.” Reflecting on her experience at the symposium, she described it as a week of rigorous dedication from dawn till dusk, encompassing a mix of diverse experiences, techniques, and various backgrounds. It should also be noted, she was the youngest participant at the symposium.



An abstract animal that lives on earth
Each participant at the symposium crafted a distinct and passionate piece. Describing her own creation, Jamhour detailed "Wedd" as an organic sculpture measuring 240*150 * 60cm. She added that ‘Wedd’ expresses the feelings of an abstract animal that lives on earth and is very close to you.” Adding that it exudes feelings of relaxation and comfort with its round and smooth curved lines in a comforting cocoon.



A penchant for the imaginative and fantastical
When discussing her preferred sculpting techniques, she expressed a penchant for the imaginative and fantastical, particularly with smooth and flowing shapes. She highlighted “this international symposium will help me to participate in other symposiums around the world and to be able to learn more and discover new approaches and techniques in addition to enhance my imagination and spiritual side of my work and to be exposed to other cultures and mindsets.”



The challenges that came with time
However, not all is a walk in the breeze. Enduring some challenges, Jamhour noted “the biggest challenge I faced was carving this size in a limited period of times, and the amount of hard work and dedication was beyond any other symposium I participated in.”



A special vision
And noting other sculptors and their work, she said, “but the thing I liked the most is that each of the sculptors has an advantage, where some were fast, some added beautiful finishes, some enjoy spiritual talent and showcase it in their work more than others, but each individual had a special vision.”



Bringing woodworking back home
Participating in this grand symposium held special significance for Jamhour, as it provided a platform to introduce her country, Jordan. It has also allowed her to bring back experience with woodworking to the Kingdom, away from the usual usage of clay and rocks, most commonly used in the country.

She cherished the opportunity to learn from her fellow participants, observing their techniques, attention to detail, and their maintenance of the spiritual essence in their sculptures.



Marking a departure from her usual attendance at local events or her homestead make shift workshop, where a sculpted dinosaur lives on her family’s rooftop or at her humble studio at MMAG Foundation, she commended the exceptional organization and friendly atmosphere created by the organizers and fellow participants alike.

We create art to express our feelings
As far as why she creates art, she shared “we create art to express our feelings and to make those around us feel the emotions embedded within each artwork. Through art, each individual can communicate their essence and feelings to the world.”


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