By Noura Al-Nuaimi

SAUDI artist Saddiek Wassil chose the hammer over the brush and used it to shape iron into many creative forms.

Wassil's beginning was in the city of Makkah, where his father used to take him to his mechanic shop. He developed an interest in iron as a material for his sculptures and transferring scrap metal to unique works of art.

The choice of work on solid metals, especially iron, is a challenge for the Saudi artist who sought to form models that reflect the cultural features of his art and made from iron many artistic abstract formations.

Wassil told Al Arabiya that he dreamed of becoming a professional artist who showcased his works at global exhibitions. He has over 600 pieces made of iron and from scrap metal with utmost precision.

He uses a metal-welding machine to form his artistic figures to create unique art works using bolts, parts of old cars and metal pieces that he welds together to create art forms.

He adds that his art contributes to the preservation of the environment through recycling waste material into works of art.

To him iron becomes a human language that speaks and interacts with the recipient. It forms a new language of communication between the art piece and the human mind.

Wassil works in harsh working conditions and is required to deal with heavy welding machines, and handle rough metals to create his signature pieces of abstract sculpture. — Al Arabiya English