Funeral of Sami Muhammad, sculptor of "The Pain of Humanity"
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Kuwait’s visual arts community mourned the passing yesterday of the distinguished artist and sculptor Sami Muhammad (Sami Ahmed Muhammad Al-Saleh), who died at the age of 82 after a battle with illness, in the presence o
Translated by Qiyas from الأنباء — Original source
Kuwait’s visual arts community mourned the passing yesterday of the distinguished artist and sculptor Sami Muhammad (Sami Ahmed Muhammad Al-Saleh), who died at the age of 82 after a battle with illness, in the presence of his colleagues and admirers of his work.
The late Sami Muhammad was among the leading pioneers of the Kuwaiti and Arab visual arts movement. His artistic career spanned more than six decades, during which he left a prominent mark on the world of sculpture and visual arts.
Sami Muhammad’s name became associated with works that addressed human issues and concerns, embodying meanings of pain, oppression, and freedom. Among his most notable pieces is his famous sculpture “Sabra and Shatila,” which stands out as a landmark in his artistic oeuvre, alongside works such as “Hunger,” “The Mother,” and “Boxes.” Additionally, he contributed a cover illustration for the book *Issues of Women in Saudi Theater*, published in 2025, as a dedication to its author, Dr. Narmin Al-Houti, aligning with the book’s title and content.
Sami Muhammad was born in Kuwait in 1943 and began his artistic journey early. He was a member and pioneer of the Kuwaiti visual arts movement, participating in numerous Arab and international exhibitions and art events. His career culminated in his participation in the Venice Biennale in 2013, marking Kuwait’s first appearance at this global event.
The late artist received numerous awards and honors, including the State Encouragement Award in 1999, the Creative Art Award from the Arab Thought Foundation in 2010, and the State Appreciation Award in 2015.
With his passing, Kuwait has lost one of its most prominent artists, but his works will remain present, bearing witness to the experience of a sculptor who made humanity and its issues the core material of his art, transforming silent mass into a voice that narrates pain, freedom, and memory.
May God have mercy on Sami Muhammad, who sculpted the pain of humanity, ensuring his name remains etched in the memory of visual arts locally, regionally, and internationally.
