GALLERY
Welcome to the Virtual Gallery of Iraqi ceramic artist Wisam Alsamad. This Gallery spans from 2005 to the present, showcasing the artistic journey of Wisam Alsamad.
Wisam has developed a unique style that combines contemporary artistic elements with visual exploration, experimentation, and adventure. His signature technique is characterized by a distinctive crosshatch texture, and more recently the overarching theme of his work is "Love".
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Galaxy of Turquoise
As you stand before this ceramic wall installation, your eyes are drawn to 40 circular units, each varying in size. They're arranged like stars across a galaxy, inviting you to pause and explore the space between them. Every circle is shaped from one of four distinct types of clay, each representing a season: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Within each season, the diversity of ten sizes adds rhythm and balance.
You’ll notice that all the elements are glazed in different shades of turquoise. For the artist, this color holds personal meaning. If you grew up in Iraq, as the artist did, turquoise might remind you of warmth and tradition. But here in Norway, it shifts as it evokes fjords, snow, and the northern lights. By using turquoise, the artist invites you to witness a meeting of two landscapes and two lives: Mesopotamia and Norway through a shared hue.
As you look closer, you’ll see that each circle includes an unglazed section, echoing the soft, wavy contours of Norway’s countryside. This contrast between glossy glaze and raw clay gives the work a living texture, where nature and material speak to one another.
Step back, and you might see more than just ceramics. You might see how the distance between the circles mimics the stars above you and how this artwork draws a quiet connection between the rhythms of the earth and the vastness of the universe.
Track of Love
This ceramic art collection draws its inspiration from the mesmerizing colors of the northern lights, with hues that dance across each piece like nature’s own poetry. Shades of green, echoing the life-giving force of nature, are prominent in several of the works, inviting viewers to reflect on the connection between love and the natural world.
Each artwork features a unique synonym for love in Arabic, elegantly inscribed, honoring the emotional and linguistic richness of the word across cultures. Tiny openings in every piece symbolize windows, echoing the simple yet profound reason every human dwelling has one: to let in light, air, and oxygen. These elements are essential to our survival, just as love is essential to our emotional and spiritual well-being.
The forms are softly curved, and when arranged together, the pieces form a flowing path, which is an abstract journey representing the ups and downs of life. This pathway speaks to the challenges, growth, and resilience needed to reach one’s destination, mirroring the course of love itself.
Adorning the dots in the Arabic letters is a touch of gold luster that is signifying the value, beauty, and weight of love. Gold here is not mere ornamentation but a reminder that love, like gold, is precious and requires effort, sacrifice, and shared responsibility in any relationship. The art collection is both a visual and emotional journey: an invitation to walk through the poetic landscape of connection, commitment, and the enduring light that love brings into our lives.
Love... End of the World
This collection of 40 unique art pieces explores the profound and multifaceted nature of love through the lens of cultural synthesis. Each artwork carries an Arabic synonym for love, written in expressive calligraphy, intertwining meaning with form. The free-form shapes of each piece symbolize the unrestrained and boundless essence of love, inviting the viewer to contemplate its depth, complexity, and transformative power.
Crafted from light blue clay fired at stoneware temperature, the works exude an earthy yet ethereal presence. Embedded within some of the pieces are Norwegian petroglyphs, adding a historical dimension that connects ancient narratives to contemporary expression. This integration reflects a fusion of Middle Eastern cultural roots with Norwegian maritime heritage, drawing inspiration from elements of rain, wind, fish, forests, the sea, and water—each an essential force shaping both nature and human emotion.
Love, in its many forms—familial, platonic, and romantic—has been a central theme in the artist’s life. It represents both strength and vulnerability, bridging divides, breaking barriers, and uniting hearts across differences. The title, "Love ... The End of the World," challenges the audience to reflect on the extremities of love.
The Galaxy of Love
The Galaxy of Love is a mesmerizing collection of 18 individual art pieces, each carrying its own synonym for love in Arabic calligraphy. Every piece is sculpted into a rounded square form, each with a subtly unique shape while maintaining a uniform size. This balance of geometric precision and organic fluidity gives the composition a harmonious rhythm, inviting the viewer to explore both the collective and individual expressions of love. The calligraphy, inscribed in an intense, luminous green known as Supernova, acts as the unifying element, bringing cohesion to the diverse shapes and forms. Some pieces feature a cut semicircle, a thoughtful interruption of the uniformity. This break in shape introduces an intriguing geometric contrast and depth, suggesting the imperfect yet beautiful nature of love. The semicircle represents incompleteness, a reminder that love is ever-evolving and never fully contained. Additionally, this detail creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, reinforcing a sense of movement and change within the composition.
The surface of each piece is coated with a Glimmer glaze, producing an effect reminiscent of a starry sky. This celestial texture reinforces the title, evoking the idea that love, much like the cosmos, is vast, boundless, and radiant. The reflective nature of the glaze changes with the viewer’s perspective and lighting, adding a mystical depth that enhances the artwork’s immersive quality. The glimmering particles scattered across the surface mirror cosmic nebulae, bringing an ethereal quality to each piece. Adding to the richness of The Galaxy of Love is the incorporation of rose gold, a symbol of transformation, luxury, and deep emotional connection. Through its bold interplay of color, texture, and symbolism, The Galaxy of Love invites contemplation on love’s dual role as an infinite force and a grounding presence, celebrating love’s brilliance—how it endures, transforms, and connects us all in the vast expanse of human experience.
A Light From Mesopotamia
This collection of ceramic wall sculptures explores the tension and harmony between two cultural landscapes: ancient Mesopotamia and modern Norway. Drawing from the warmth of the Mesopotamian sun and the cool clarity of the Nordic light, each piece in this series becomes a poetic bridge between two worlds: the cradle of civilization and the calm of the north. The works are crafted from stoneware fired at 1220°C, combining four distinctive surface treatments: matt, semi-matt, glossy, and the raw natural tone of the clay. Each texture carries symbolic weight: matte surfaces ground us in the earthy roots of the past, glossy glazes reflect the vitality of the present, and the layering of finishes creates a visual rhythm akin to layered histories.
Each piece is fragmented, deliberately spaced with visible gaps to invite the viewer into an open-ended interpretation. The non-geometric, freeform silhouettes challenge traditional boundaries and suggest incomplete memories, ruins, or ancient tablets unearthed from the earth. Their organic outlines speak of fluidity rather than finality. The use of crosshatched markings evokes artifacts long buried beneath the Mesopotamian soil are echoes of empires and civilizations that once thrived. In contrast, the glazed inlays bring brightness, immediacy, and color, symbolizing renewal and continuity. This intentional interplay of rough and refined, past and present, becomes the visual signature of the artist.
Color plays a central role in the dialog: warm ochres, reds, and ambers recall the Mesopotamian palette of desert and sun, while cool turquoise, blue, and greys nod to the cold tones of Norway's sky and fjords. This chromatic contrast embodies a cultural duality: the sun always present in the south, while a cooler, introspective atmosphere defines the north. These are not just ceramic works; they are cultural artifacts of today, created with the memory of yesterday and the vision of tomorrow. Sculptural, architectural, and deeply personal, they invite viewers into a timeless, shifting narrative of identity, migration, and belonging.
The Path of Love
In this ceramic art installation, The Path of Love, twenty-eight unique sculptures are arranged in a flowing composition that resembles the meandering form of two rivers: the Tigris, which breathes through the heart of Mesopotamia, and the river in Stryn in Norway. These rivers, where one is warm and the other is cold, symbolize the duality of the artist’s identity and heritage and serve as a metaphor for love’s journey: winding, unpredictable, and transformative.
Each sculpture represents one synonym of love in Arabic. These are not simply linguistic variations but emotional states, each expressed through its own structural form, movement, and color. The Arabic letters, abstracted and untraditional, seem to float in space as if lifted by a gentle breeze, like fabric in the air, symbolizing the lightness, fragility, and transcendence of love.
The installation is made of stoneware clay fired at 1100°C. Surface textures vary between matte, glossy, and lustrous glazes, creating a tactile rhythm as one walks along the river of love. The diacritical dots of the Arabic script are adorned with a silver luster glaze, appearing as tiny celestial markers that guide the viewer’s gaze, like stars illuminating the night sky. Silver, symbolizing purity, clarity, and protection, enhances their quiet power. To Norwegians, it may evoke memories of ancient silver weapons and Viking-age coins; for those from the Middle East, it might recall the delicate beauty of traditional women’s jewelry and cultural heritage.
Some sculptures glimmer with glitter textures, reminiscent of galaxies, reminders that love is vast, universal, and cosmic. Others show roughness or asymmetry, representing sacrifice, pain, and the trials found on love’s winding route.
Though this path is not linear, it is purposeful. The spatial arrangement invites viewers to reflect on their own emotional journeys, where love, like water, flows through landscapes of joy, longing, heartbreak, and beauty.
Meet Love
This collection is a sculptural journey through the Arabic synonyms of love, delicately carved by removing clay to form the letterforms. Each letter is not added but revealed as if love itself has always existed, waiting to be uncovered. Suspended in space, the letters appear to float, embodying a celestial presence, love drifting in the cosmos. The forms themselves bend and curve, symbolizing the continuity of life and the flow of love across time and space. Each piece holds a duality: one part of the mountain-like texture evokes the cold, rugged beauty of Norwegian nature, while the other mirrors the warmth and texture of Mesopotamian landscapes: a dialogue between two homelands, one of origin and one of residence.
Varying shades of green wash across each mountain surface, emphasizing the diversity and layered meanings of love. No two shades are the same, just as no two loves are alike. The rose-gold circular dots shimmer gently, like celestial bodies or ancient coins, representing sacred markers of emotion, perhaps moments of divine connection, or the unspoken values we assign to love. Their placement is never random; they are aligned like constellations, guiding the viewer through each piece’s spiritual terrain.
Together, these pieces invite reflection on language, memory, migration, and emotion, where form, material, and meaning become one path of love.
Windows of The Soul
Wisam fearlessly redefines the traditional pottery boundaries. Through meticulous dedication and innovative techniques, such as using dissolved gold for unique oxidized effects. Wisam shapes a transformative artistic landscape. Inspired by European cities and the city vibe of Baghdad, his creations deliberately resemble stone carvings, blending modern and traditional elements.
Symbols and emotions convey mysticism, rituals, and ancient Iraqi totem symbols, weaving a vibrant cultural tapestry. Each artwork, marked by intentional treatments, reflects Wisam's distinctive material relationship, inviting viewers on an enthralling journey through symbolic narratives. This collection encapsulates the essence of his exotic and transformative artistic odyssey, offering a visual spectacle that transcends conventional boundaries.
Spirit of Geometric
Distinct technique dissolves gold in aqua regia mixed with resin, creating a captivating interplay of color and motion on his ceramic artworks. This unique approach results in a mesmerizing oxidized effect that simulates metallic paint, offering a visual journey that transcends geographic and cultural boundaries. Through meticulous application, Wisam enhances the unity of each piece, recognizing the power of color and motion in achieving universal aesthetic satisfaction.
The collection goes beyond conventional boundaries, where hexagon shapes stand as independent artistic expressions, contributing to the rich tapestry of Wisam's creative narrative. The fusion of tradition and innovation, of each artwork becomes a testament to the artist's skillful craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to artistic excellence.
Back To The Roots
Wisam's artistic creations beautifully fuse two rich cultural tapestries: Mesopotamian and Old Norse. Drawing inspiration from Mesopotamian traditions, his works showcase the use of clay and a palette of light colors, capturing the essence of ancient craftsmanship. In a captivating blend, Old Norse influences make their mark with intricate Norwegian Petroglyphs and the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights.
Wisam's unique perspective is further enriched by contemporary elements, seamlessly integrating several modern shapes into the artistic narrative. Having called Norway home, Wisam's profound connection to the Norwegian culture is evident in the subtle nuances that echo through his art works. His art transcends cultural boundaries, offering a harmonious synthesis that reflects both his heritage and the influences of the vibrant Norwegian landscape.
Magic of Laster
In Wisam's skilled hands, each type of clay takes on a unique shape and colour, revealing a level of artistry that transcends previous boundaries, which gives ceramic works an iconic form that embodies surprise, excitement, and pure fantasy. He raises questions with long pauses of contemplation and deep exploration of glaze and clay, leading to answers and interpretations that leave observers in awe.
This quest for innovation extends to unique materials, shapes, and techniques that distinguish his work from other potters because he is unconcerned with conventional methods and employs innovative techniques to create truly remarkable pieces.
Love Tracks
Each piece harmonizes color austerity with expressive form. Adorned with calligraphic verses, each art piece transcends tradition, drawing viewers into a dreamy lyrical atmosphere. Deliberate cracks and thoughtful color compositions create a captivating interplay between form and content.
Wisam's mastery of Kufic and Maghrebi scripts preserves an earthy hue, striking a perfect balance between materialistic and spiritual realms. The whole art collection integrates Eastern identity, cultural heritage, and modernity, transcending cultural boundaries.
Alphabet of The Gold Clay
In "Gold's Clay Alphabet from Tigris to Glomma," Wisam pioneers a rebellious collection, defying conventional industry norms. Embracing intentional ugliness and improvisational play, he establishes a unique artistic language, inspired by the tales of the river in his hometown, Baghdad. Wisam's distinctive style, rooted in both local and global influences, explores the aesthetics of the human body and breaks traditional sculpture norms.
His ceramics showcase intelligent transparency and a fusion of natural and virtual colors, challenging surface aesthetics and incorporating technology and conceptual elements. Wisam's work marks a significant evolution in contemporary sculpture art, blending tradition with innovation.
Tell Us, Gibran
Wisam seamlessly fuses the rich heritage of Mesopotamian culture with the mystique of Old Norse traditions. The pieces showcase a harmonious blend of materials, incorporating brown Earthenware resembling the dull colors of Scandivia and yellow Earthenware resembling the warm hues of the Middle Eastern desert on the arabic calligraphy. Mesopotamian influences manifest through the masterful use of clay and intricate Arabic calligraphy, while Old Norse elements come to life with Norwegian Petroglyphs and a palette of darker color tones.
A striking visual narrative emerges, a juxtaposition of two worlds, each piece bearing the weight of contrasting cultural identities. Wisam's art invites you to witness the profound beauty that arises from the collision of these two distinct cultures, a testament to the artist's ability to create a dialogue through the language of clay.
The Earth is My Mosque
Vibrant fusion of colors achieved through expert blending of dyes, clay, and ochre. His meticulous technique results in a glossy ceramic finish that enhances the overall aesthetic. Incorporating Arabic writing, Wisam creates a unique sense of unity within the structure. The interplay of traditional embellishments and modern construction techniques is seamlessly balanced, infusing his work with rich symbolism and contemporary relevance.
Focused on the 99 names of Allah, his art plays with light and darkness, skillfully manipulating mass components to achieve an elegant harmony of voids and lumps. Each creation reflects Wisam's expertise as an artist, offering a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation in a mesmerizing dance of form and meaning.
Baghdad... Point of All The Letters
In the realm of ceramic artistry, Wisam Alsamd seamlessly merges tradition with innovation, crafting captivating circular pieces inspired by ancient Arab artistry. These ceramics, adorned with vibrant metallic hues, transcend mere ornamentation, inviting viewers on a journey into contemplative realms.
Beyond their aesthetic allure, Wisam's creations reveal a mastery reflected in meticulous applications of reduced oxidation ceramic paint and intricate techniques. This mastery reflects his profound connection to the clay mixtures of the North Sea valleys, infusing each piece with a transformative beauty that resonates with the rich traditions and innovative spirit of ceramic craftsmanship.
Memory of Spirit
In the hands of Wisam, clay becomes a canvas for emotion and spirituality. Shaped with skill and reverence for Eastern values, the ceramic art pieces of Wisam embody a rich cultural narrative. From the meticulous process rooted in Mesopotamian heritage to the captivating "Cuboid Squares Stage," Wisam's art invites viewers to explore a fusion of modern aesthetics and Arabic patterns.
The marriage of abstract expressionism and calligraphy in his compositions reflects a deliberate harmony between unity and diversity. Each artwork serves as a testament to the enduring connection between contemporary expression and cultural roots, offering a captivating journey through symbolism and emotion.
One Thousand & One Cups
To add a unique touch, intertwining traditional elements with contemporary aesthetics. In his collection, simplicity becomes a canvas for intricate beauty. The bowls, conceived from Wisam's artistic vision, transcend functionality to become expressive pieces of art. Through the delicate dance of various glazes, each bowl captures a harmony of color tones, demonstrating the artist's profound understanding of ceramic craftsmanship. The incorporation of Arabic calligraphy elevates the pieces, infusing them with cultural richness and timeless elegance.
Wisam's departure from elaborate sculptures signifies a deliberate choice to embrace simplicity, allowing the inherent beauty of form and color to take center stage. This collection is a testament to his exploration of balance, both in design and cultural fusion, resulting in a series that embodies the essence of contemporary ceramic artistry.
The marriage of abstract expressionism and calligraphy in his compositions reflects a deliberate harmony between unity and diversity. Each artwork serves as a testament to the enduring connection between contemporary expression and cultural roots, offering a captivating journey through symbolism and emotion.
The Beauty & Brightness of The Circle
A visionary in ceramic art, Wisam seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. His pieces, characterized by warm, smooth surfaces and intricate geometric circular patterns, reflect a harmonious synthesis of creativity and technology.
Inspired by Islamic philosophy, the art transcends time, fusing the spiritual essence of the past with contemporary influences. In Europe, a revitalization of ancient civilizations unfolds through vibrant colors and Arabic calligraphy. Wisam's ongoing projects promise to push the boundaries of his already remarkable achievements.
Pains of Mud
In Wisam's perspective, clay becomes a canvas for an extraordinary artistic journey, where each form and hue reflects a mastery that surpasses conventional limits. The art pieces in this collection transcend the ordinary, embodying surprise, excitement, and pure fantasy. With deliberate pauses and profound exploration of mystical symbols, Wisam invites contemplation and sparks curiosity, unveiling interpretations that captivate and astonish onlookers. His relentless pursuit of innovation extends beyond traditional boundaries, embracing unique materials, shapes, and techniques that set his work apart from the ordinary.
Unconstrained by convention, Wisam fearlessly employs inventive methods, ensuring that each piece is a testament to his commitment to pushing artistic frontiers. The infusion of Arabic calligraphy adds an extra layer of depth, enriching his creations with cultural significance and a touch of the extraordinary. The art collection is a direct testament to boundless creativity and a dedication to shaping truly remarkable and distinctive pieces.
Salute to Baghdad
Wisam embarks on a captivating exploration of clay's possibilities, infusing his creations with passion drawn from teaching ceramics and global artistic influences. His recent wall relief sculptures, departing from abstract emotions, reveal a metaphysical world through geometric shapes. Unconstrained by tradition, Wisam's compositions defy norms, becoming magical symbols that balance emotions and harmonies.
Rich in color and intricate lines, his ceramics offer a dynamic visual experience, merging Mesopotamian heritage with modernity. Each piece is an evolving narrative, inviting viewers into a living horizon where tradition and contemporary converge seamlessly. Wisam's art, a blend of ambition and transparency, positions him as a promising Arab potter on a trajectory of growth and progress.
Gilgamesh; Wings of Mud & Fire
Wisam draws inspiration from Mesopotamian texts, particularly the Gilgamesh epic, considered the "Odyssey of Ancient Iraq." Themes of life, death, and immortality fuel approximately thirty ceramic murals. Departing from his previous techniques, Wisam employs transparent layers, intricate brushstrokes, and a focal point system. The Gilgamesh ceramics, a six-month endeavor, showcase his shift towards formlessness and experimentation.
Using low-oxidation ceramic coatings, custom-made paints, and acid etching, Wisam achieves captivating results. Exposing portions to mild heat adds complexity, resulting in a harmonious blend of colors. The collection, reminiscent of composite sculptural works, blurs the lines between the visible and invisible. Wisam's aim is to create a kinetic wall or floor ceramic art, marking a groundbreaking approach to composition and aesthetics.
Music of The Letters
The art collection explores the rich history of pottery in Iraq, tracing its origins to the Warka era (Uruk) and its subsequent evolution through Jamdat Nasr pottery. The enduring legacy of ancient pottery traditions is evident in the practices of contemporary Iraqi potters, who continue to use similar materials and techniques. The narrative delves into the significance of ceramic art in both historical and modern contexts, emphasizing its role in shaping cultural identity.
The evolution of pottery over time is highlighted, from traditional methods to the profound changes brought about by industrialization and the influence of Western art styles. The collection underscores the transformative impact of recent developments on Arab societies and the emergence of innovative ceramic artists who embrace abstract expressionism, pushing the boundaries of traditional forms and paving the way for new artistic horizons.
Letters Draw a Life
Rooted in the clay of Al-Mashtal, Mid East of Baghdad, Wisam's artistic journey began with a discovery of form and expression. Embracing ceramics at the Institute of Fine Arts, his early works surpassed traditional influences. Navigating the Ceramics Department, Wisam's commitment to innovation grew. From ancient heritage to global inspirations, his art embodies a synthesis of tradition and modernism.
Freedom of expression liberated form from utility, ushering in a "New World of Ceramics." Meticulous exploration of materials, including Arabic calligraphy, and mastery of glaze colors defined his distinctive path. Marked by kinetic influences and a dynamic spatial approach, his art transcends boundaries, offering a profound perspective on the intersection of tradition and contemporary aesthetics.