| Wasel Safwan | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 August 1979[1] |
| Website | |
| http://www.waselart.com/ | |
Wasel Safwan Antepli (Arabic: واصل صفوان, born 9 August 1979) is an artist and architect from United Arab Emirates.[1] He grew up in Al Ain city in the Al Muajei district, Abu Dhabi, he was the eldest child, and he had four sisters and two brothers.[1]
Wasel studied at local private schools, and then attended Ajman University in Al Ain, where he obtained a Bachelor degree in Architecture in 2003. According to the Alliance Francaise, his artwork "is proof that the study of architecture influenced his emerging style making it clearer and sharper.[1]
Wasel has now participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions such as UAE Pavilion EXPO 2010 in Shanghai,[2] WOMAD,[3] Smalt Art 2009 at Vítkovice in the Czech Republic,[4] Emirati Expressions 2009 at Emirates Palace,[5] the French Art Festival 2008 in Abu Dhabi, Art Paris Abu Dhabi 2007 at Emirates Palace, and the solo exhibition titled "Constructivism and UAEism by Wasel ART" at the Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre.[1] In 2001, he was awarded his first prize at the Inaugural Biennale Exhibition for Fine Arts, United Arab Emirates University. This was awarded to him by the president of the University, Sheikh Nihayan bin Mubarak Al Nihyan, at his palace in Abu Dhabi.[1] He has been travelling to different nations of the world, living in different cultures, and producing artworks during his stays in places as diverse as Ostrava, Prague, Makkah, Madinah, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Pokot, Nairobi, Changchun, Shanghai, & Cameron Highlands.[6] He has lectured at United Arab Emirates University, Zayed University, ALHOSN University, and the Higher Colleges of Technology.
He completed three pieces in the art cars field; a Nissan Murano, painting a Ferrari Formula One racer[7] and a 1959 Chevrolet Impala.[8]
Wasel has stated that "Art was born from a respect for humanity; its colours correspond to different tongues in different conditions at the same time".[1] He has been painting since he was 6 years old.[9] In 2009, he was commissioned to paint level 84 of the tallest tower on Earth, the Burj Khalifa, 828 m (2,717 ft).[10] Four artworks were produced, one of which had to contain the number 84 in both Arabic and English.[11] In 2011, Wasel Safwan participated at a global conference TEDx "Ideas Worth Spreading".[12]