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Sami Mohammad

Sami Mohammad Ahmed (born October 1, 1943) is a prominent Kuwaiti sculptor and artist, widely recognized for his powerful bronze sculptures. His work frequently explores profound themes such as freedom, oppression, genocide, and human suffering. In 1971, he was commissioned to create a statue of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, a key milestone in his career.

Mohammad is especially known for several impactful series and pieces, including The Box, Sabra and Shatila, Hunger, and Mother. His art was featured in Kuwait’s debut participation at the 55th Venice Biennale in 2013, marking an important moment in both his career and the country’s cultural history.

In 1995, he published The Art of Sami Mohammad, a book that reflects on his artistic journey and body of work.

Before pursuing further studies in the United States, Sami Mohammad was appointed by Kuwait University as a visiting artist, where he conducted tutorials in visual arts. During his time in the U.S., he began developing his first major collection, Curves. After completing his studies, he returned to Kuwait in 1976 and started work on notable pieces such as Before Birth, After Birth, and Motherhood.

In 1978, Mohammad represented Kuwait at the Kuwaiti Artists Exhibition in Paris, followed by participation in the Tenth International Sculpture Conference in Toronto. Following his return from the conference, he began work on his influential Box series, marking a shift in his focus toward the human condition, with themes centred on humanity and existential struggles.

His first traveling exhibition was launched in 1994, featuring both sculptures and paintings. It opened in Sharjah under the auspices of the Department of Culture and Information’s Directorate of Arts, and later toured Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Italy, and participated in the Bodova International Biennial of Sculpture. In 1999, Mohammad closed his studio at The Free Atelier.

The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters later commissioned him to design the State of Kuwait Merit Award Trophy, and he was subsequently tasked with creating the gold medal and trophy for the National Achievement Award. In the early 2000s, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sharjah dedicated a permanent wing to his work, showcasing a long-term exhibition of his art.

In 2013, Mohammad’s work was featured in the 55th Venice Biennale—Kuwait's first-ever participation in the event. The exhibition, titled National Works and curated by Ala Younis, included a bronze bust of Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and a fibreglass reproduction of Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah’s extended arm (originally created in 1989), alongside a collection of drawings and archival photographs from Mohammad’s studio. These pieces referenced significant earlier commissions from 1971 and 1988, respectively.

The Penetration (1989)

The Arabian Knight, 2015 12 1/5 × 38 3/5 × 39 2/5 in | 31 × 98 × 100 cm

Sami Mohammed, all copyrights received 2011

art@mohammed-art.com

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