ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hamad Alshamsi
A contemporary practice rooted in Emirati identity, portraiture and the enduring language of craft.
Hamad Alshamsi is an Emirati artist whose work explores heritage, memory and human presence. His portraits translate cultural narratives into carefully constructed images, balancing close observation with a quiet, contemporary sensibility.
Working across charcoal, oil and acrylic, Alshamsi is particularly recognised for combining highly refined drawing with traditional water gilding. Applied by hand using 24-karat gold leaf, gilding becomes more than ornament: it frames memory, marks significance and creates a dialogue between historical craftsmanship and contemporary Emirati art.
MATERIAL & METHOD
The Practice
Portraiture
Portraits form the centre of the practice, carrying individual presence while opening a wider conversation about Emirati identity and collective memory.
Material
Charcoal, oil and acrylic are selected for their distinct emotional and physical qualities, from tonal intimacy to layered colour and surface.
24K Gilding
Traditional water gilding and custom framing extend each work beyond the image, turning material and presentation into part of the narrative.
SELECTED WORKS
Stories shaped through portrait and gold.
Soul of Ghaf
Charcoal and 24K gold · Emirati identity, resilience and the symbolic presence of the Ghaf tree.
Ayla’s Nostalgia
A monochrome portrait shaped by talli, bougainvillea and the visual language of memory.
Equine Studies
Painted studies of Arabian horses exploring presence, movement and restrained monumentality.