Tabari Artspace Gallery presented the solo exhibition of Saudi artist, Saddek Wasil.
Born in Makkah Al-Mukarrama in 1973, Saddek Wasil, grew up in a household where his mother worked as a seamstress and his father as a mechanic. Consequently, he developed a penchant for manual labor and spent much of his youth in his father's garage, honing his skills in welding and working with metal, particularly iron. During his leisure time, he would often salvage discarded car parts and scraps of metal to fashion imaginative creations such as shapeless figures, distorted bodies, and human masks.
Wasil describes himself as a hoarder, someone who dislikes throwing things away, and believes that everything and everyone holds value, contrary to today's disposable mindset. Through his art, he aims to convey the notion that worth can be found in anything or anyone.
Like many artists, Wasil draws inspiration from his surroundings and the events occurring in the world. He focuses on human beings and their emotions, particularly in Makkah, where he witnesses the daily struggles faced by his fellow human beings. As an observer of their vulnerability, especially within the sacred confines of the house of God, his work is not judgmental but rather a celebration of diversity in all its forms and colors. It is a reflection of understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and, above all, an acknowledgment of both the visible and hidden realities.
Despite lacking formal training as a sculptor and not adhering to traditional methods involving clay, molds, foundries, or editions, Wasil crafts his art solely by hand, relying on his own abilities. He predominantly employs various shapes and forms of metal, viewing it as a symbol of strength. The process of breaking down its obstinacy and shaping it according to his vision provides him with a sense of empowerment and accomplishment.
Wasil pursued his formal education in Environmental Studies and Agricultural Sciences at King Abdulaziz University. He is an active member of several arts societies, including the Contemporary Artist's Home, The Association of Culture and the Arts, and the Saudi Society of Fine Arts. Currently, he serves as the Director of the Arts and Culture Department in Mecca.
His artwork has been extensively exhibited both nationally and internationally. He has participated in notable events and art fairs such as Edge of Arabia in Istanbul (2010), OFID in Vienna (2011), the Shanghai Expo at the Duolon Museum of Modern Art (2010), Art Dubai (2009, 2010, 2011), the MENASA Art Fair in Beirut (2011), the Marrakech Art Fair (2011), and the International Art Biennale in Dakar, Senegal (2008, 2009). In 2012, he held his inaugural solo exhibition titled 'And They Will Not Cease to Differ...' at Athr Gallery and took part in 'Made in Makkah,' a collective exhibition featuring Mecca artists at Artspace London. Furthermore, he was selected for Dar Al-Ma'mun's residency program in Morocco in 2013.