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ART RESUME
ARTIST'S BIOGRAPHY - Hussein
Saidi - 2009
Contemporary African artist, Hussein Saidi, combines
traditional African themes with modern style.
Saidi's work is highly acclaimed internationally
and has been on display at various locations including
the U.S. Embassy in Niamey, Niger through Art
in Embassies, Gdynia, Poland's International Exhibition
of Art, "Globaltica: Art Inspired by Traditional
Cultures", the African American Museum of
Philadelphia's "Silent Voices, Loud Echos,"
Apex Gallery (DC) "A Tribute to Fiber Art",
New York City JVC Jazz Festival "Rhythm,
Color and Harmony", Art Association of Harrisburg
(PA) - National Juried Show, Rockville (MD) Art
Place "Inspired by Music", and Meridian
International Center - White Meyer Galleries (DC)
to name a few. Saidi's artwork was highlighted
in Sunshine Artist Magazine's "Under the
Canopy," with cover art and an article (Jan.
2006, 28 - 31). Saidi's 2002 solo exhibit "Contradictions"
represented his attempt to explore the human spirit,
including reactions and feelings of those affected
by tragic violence in the Washington, DC area.
His solo show in May 2004, "Body Art"
explored traditional and modern cultures' use
of body art. In 2006 for his solo exhibition,
"Community Spirit" at the Heliport Gallery
in Silver Spring, Saidi explored both positive
and negative aspects of "progress".
Saidi has received many awards and honors - the
following are just a sample of the many he has
received:
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US
Department of State's "Homage to African-American
Artists" calendar - 1 of 26 selected
through the ART in Embassies Program - 2009 |
| * |
Artist
in Residence - Greenbelt Artist Community
Center, Greenbelt, MD July 2006 - present |
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Artists
and Scholars Roster - Montgomery County,
MD - July 2008 - July 2009 |
| * |
1st
Place - Leeper Park Art Festival, South
Bend, IN - June 2009 |
| * |
Award
of Distinction - Art League of Bonita
Springs, Bonita Springs, FL - March 2009 |
| * |
Best
of Show - Stockley Garden Fall Art Festival,
Norfolk, VA - Oct 2008 |
| * |
Award
of Excellence - Art on the Square - Belleville,
IL - May 2008 |
| * |
1st
Place - St. Stephens Fine Art Festival
- Coconut Grove, FL - Feb. 2008 |
| * |
Award
of Creativity - Barefoot in the Park,
Duluth, GA - April 2008 |
| * |
Best
of Show – Easton Art Affair,
Easton, OH – June 2007 |
| * |
Best
of Show - AnnMarie Garden Art Show (partner
with the Smithsonian) - Sept 2006 |
| * |
Award
of Merit - Festival of the Masters, Orlando,
FL - Nov 2005 |
| * |
Award
of Excellence - Chrysler Arts, Beats &
Eats, Pontiac, MI - Sept 2005 and 2006 |
| * |
1st
Place Mixed Media - Detroit Festival of
the Arts, Detroit, MI - June 2005 |
| * |
Guest
Lecturer: Selected by Art Educator participants,
Penn State University Outreach - July 2004 |
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Grant
Award - "Art in the U.S. Fosters
Understanding of the Islamic World" Puffin
Foundation - Feb 2004 |
Saidi's
collection of art contains an overriding theme
of community and family. When he was a boy, as
is typical of children in Tanzania, Saidi created
his own toys out of found-objects. Saidi now continues
this process in his art, as he incorporates natural
materials in his unique collages, which utilize
materials such as barks, leaves, husks and other
natural fibers. These materials may be woven,
sewn or wrapped around other materials in the
collage. Leaves, husks, natural fiber papers and
other plant fibers may be hand-dyed cut, shredded
and/or burnt. All materials are museum conservational,
and all artwork is coated with protective varnishes
to insure longevity.
Saidi
is originally from Tanga, Tanzania, East Africa.
He has made Maryland his home for thirteen years.
Saidi is currently working as a professional artist
out of his studio in Silver Spring, Maryland.
To
contact Hussein Saidi, write to: Saidi@UjamaArt.com
or phone: 301 - 905 - 7680
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