Born; Hama, Syria
1976 – Graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus University
1991-1992 – Residency workshop, Kalanikov Anatole, Russia
Damascus Faces – mixed media on canvas, 45 x 36 in, 2015
Damascus Incarus – mixed media on canvas, 45 x 36 in, 2014
Homeless – mixed media on canvas, 45 x 36 in, 2013
Last Fighter (series No.1 – No.2 – No. 3 – No.4 – mixed media on canvas, 32 x 45 in, 2013
STATEMENT
EDWARD SHAHDA was born in Hama, Syria, lives and works in Damascus. His subjects are inspired by folk tales, myths, and local icons; with a focus on the female body. His work is characterized by simplified expression with color spaces and touches, sometimes surrounded by symbolic elements.
Education
1976 – Graduated from Faculty of Fine Arts, Damascus, University with excellence honor
1991-1992 – Residency workshop, Atelier of Anatoly Clankov, Russia
Professional Career
2000 – Present – Visual Arts instructor at the University of Damascus
Board member of the Syrian Visual Arts Union
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2011 – “To Mahmud Darwish” Tajalliyat Art Gallery, Damascus; Art on 56th Gallery, Beirut, Lebanon.
2006 – “Oriental Shrines” Atassi Gallery, Damascus; Syria.
2002 – Fateh Moudarres Atelier, Damascus; Syria.
1995 – Ishtar Gallery, Damascus, Syria.
1992 – Solo exhibition in Stavropol, Russia.
1983 – The Military Housing Foundation, Damascus, Syria.
1981 – The Russian Cultural Center, Damascus, Syria.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2021 – “Contemporary Syrian Art: War & Hope” United Nations HQ building gallery, New York, NY
2020 – “Contemporary Syrian Art: War & Hope” Syrian-American artists group exhibit ArtServe, FL
2019 – Oct 12 – Dec 30 “30th Anniversary Season Preview at ArtServe, Miami, FL
Oct 9-10 at Florida International Trade & Cultural Expo, Ft Lauderdale Convention Center
Sept 27-29, Syrian Arts & Culture Center, 352, 86th St. Brooklyn, NY
2021 – “Selections from Syrian Contemporaries” Arab Int’l University Gallery, Damascus, Syria.
2020 – “Contemporary Syrian Art” ArtServe Gallery in collaboration with Khawam Gallery, Ft Lauderdale, FL.
2019 – “Contemporary Art in Syria” Takla Foundation, Bremen, Germany.
2018 – “Memories of Cities” Untold Stories Gallery; Sabra Gallery, London.
Awards
2012-2013 – Grants and residency at Kalanikov Anatole, Russia
Art Fairs
2008 -Third International Biennial, Beijing, China.
2005 – Second International Biennial, Beijing, China.
Collections
Edward Shahda’s work are in museums and private collections around the Middle East, Russia, Europe and U.S.A.
Recent Bibliography Published
“The world of Myths and Legends of Edward Shahda” Sana News by Samir Tahhan (12/2021)
Boca Magazine by John Thomason Syrian Art Exhibition South Florida (10/2020) https://www.bocamag.com/events/artserve-presents-emerging-art-from-war-torn-syria-war-and-hope
The Brooklyn Reporter, https://bit.ly/3iC0yZo – by John Alexander (10/2019)
https://brooklynreporter.com/2019/10/war-hope-emerging-art-from-war-torn-syria/
Khawam Gallery 