Born 1975 in Egypt, sculptor, Sam Shendi, was one of five children and showed an aptitude for drawing from an early age. In 1992 he started a five year arts degree at Helwen University of Fine Arts in Cairo and graduated in 1997 after having specialized in monumental and architectural sculpture.
He opened his own Interior Design Office in Egypt after graduation, but moved to the UK in 2000 and has made his home near Keighley and has a kitchen design company in Silsden.
The pyramid and geometrical shapes of Ancient Egyptian construction and architecture influenced his work, combined with the use often bright and vivid colours. He works predominantly with metal, particularly aluminium and steel.
Sam’s work has featured in exhibitions both in the UK and abroad, and he has had solo exhibitions in London, including with the Royal British Society of Sculptors (RBS), Blackpool and in Bradford. Cartwright Hall featured his solo work in the ‘Only Human’ exhibition 2014/2015 both inside and outside the gallery.
He was the winner of the First@108 Public Art RBS Award in 2013 for his colourful sculpture, ‘Evolution’. Public sculptures of his work can be found at Steeton and at Silsden, the latter commemorating the history of nail making in the town.
Website: http://www.samshendi.co.uk/