An Omani artisan's journey of crafting elegance from wood and metal
Published: 04:05 PM,May 13,2024 | EDITED : 08:05 PM,May 13,2024
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A skilled sculptor known for his expertise in wood carving and metal shaping, Mohammed bin Darwish Al Balushi transforms natural materials into unique pieces of art, reflecting his passion and dedication to his profession.
Operating from a large workshop in the Wilayat of Barka, Mohammed creates large and elegant furniture pieces characterized by quality and creativity.
Mohammed's work reflects his passion and love for his profession. Other than exercising craftsmanship and profound skills, he also creates large and long-lasting furniture ensuring quality and elegance to pieces delivered to his clients. Mohammed aims that the pie artistic pieces he creates enrich the daily lives of individuals and institutions who interact with his work.
Mohammed's work had found its way to the hands of interior designers, collectors, luxury homeowners, and cultural institutions. These clients value his unique wood and metal sculptures, appreciating the craftsmanship, intricate details, and storytelling in each piece.
For Mohammed, whether it's custom furniture, decorative elements, or exhibition pieces, he said that he tends to go where his creativity takes him making sure that his clients acquire one-of-a-kind artworks that reflect their tastes and elevate their environments with elegance and artistry.
With almost a decade in the industry, Mohammed shared that his being a sculptor was motivated by the desire for additional income rather than relying solely on one source.
He has a deep passion for the field and enjoys exploring various materials, with wood being particularly cherished for its inherent beauty and versatility. Appreciating its texture, natural hues, and malleability, he finds joy in crafting diverse objects suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, enhancing specific designs with pieces that serve multiple purposes.
He emphasized that selecting the appropriate wood for a project depends on the materials involved. Not all materials can be effectively shaped with any type of wood, as some are prone to cracking under certain temperatures, potentially leading to significant safety hazards. Additionally, certain materials are susceptible to insect infestations and decay, while others possess toxic properties that deter pests but require special treatments for preservation.
Al-Balushi highlighted the subjective nature of determining the ideal weight for furniture, noting the contemporary preference for lighter pieces. However, contrasting opinions exist, with some advocating that heavier furniture indicates higher quality. Ultimately, the weight preference is dictated by individual client tastes.
Furthermore, Al-Balushi underscored the significance of thorough planning and design in project execution. Various approaches, such as pre-prepared designs, collaboration with sketch designers, or allowing clients creative freedom, offer distinct benefits. He emphasized the role of expansive imagination in swiftly realizing designs, enabling those with vivid imaginations to quickly conceptualize projects. While some may utilize design software, Al-Balushi personally favours involving clients directly in the creative process, encouraging them to sketch designs themselves.
Mohammed shared that for him, one's ability to achieve both the impossible and the possible hinges upon a person's determination and persistence in the pursuit of their goals.
He advised young sculptors and artists against dwelling on the challenges and pressures faced during a project, urging instead to focus solely on completing the task, as those difficult moments quickly fade from memory.
Additionally, Mohammed highlighted three detrimental words—'I do not know,' 'I cannot,' and 'impossible'—which he deemed as fatal blows to success, urging individuals to avoid their usage. He stressed the importance of transforming these words into personal challenges, to be tackled with unwavering determination and faith. Belief in one's capacity to overcome obstacles, he asserted, is the cornerstone of achievement and excellence in any endeavour.
Mohammed also reminded me that instead of focusing on competition, one should focus more on learning new skills and self-motivating to be more creative and promote personal growth. He also said an emerging young artist or sculptor can spend more quality time deepening one's knowledge and enriching his own experiences.
'Everyone has their unique voice and there are plenty of opportunities around for new, quality work. If artists invest in making themselves better so that nobody can do what they can do, for sure they will be able to create a niche for themselves,' Mohammed reminded.
Operating from a large workshop in the Wilayat of Barka, Mohammed creates large and elegant furniture pieces characterized by quality and creativity.
Mohammed's work reflects his passion and love for his profession. Other than exercising craftsmanship and profound skills, he also creates large and long-lasting furniture ensuring quality and elegance to pieces delivered to his clients. Mohammed aims that the pie artistic pieces he creates enrich the daily lives of individuals and institutions who interact with his work.
Mohammed's work had found its way to the hands of interior designers, collectors, luxury homeowners, and cultural institutions. These clients value his unique wood and metal sculptures, appreciating the craftsmanship, intricate details, and storytelling in each piece.
For Mohammed, whether it's custom furniture, decorative elements, or exhibition pieces, he said that he tends to go where his creativity takes him making sure that his clients acquire one-of-a-kind artworks that reflect their tastes and elevate their environments with elegance and artistry.
With almost a decade in the industry, Mohammed shared that his being a sculptor was motivated by the desire for additional income rather than relying solely on one source.
He has a deep passion for the field and enjoys exploring various materials, with wood being particularly cherished for its inherent beauty and versatility. Appreciating its texture, natural hues, and malleability, he finds joy in crafting diverse objects suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings, enhancing specific designs with pieces that serve multiple purposes.
He emphasized that selecting the appropriate wood for a project depends on the materials involved. Not all materials can be effectively shaped with any type of wood, as some are prone to cracking under certain temperatures, potentially leading to significant safety hazards. Additionally, certain materials are susceptible to insect infestations and decay, while others possess toxic properties that deter pests but require special treatments for preservation.
Al-Balushi highlighted the subjective nature of determining the ideal weight for furniture, noting the contemporary preference for lighter pieces. However, contrasting opinions exist, with some advocating that heavier furniture indicates higher quality. Ultimately, the weight preference is dictated by individual client tastes.
Furthermore, Al-Balushi underscored the significance of thorough planning and design in project execution. Various approaches, such as pre-prepared designs, collaboration with sketch designers, or allowing clients creative freedom, offer distinct benefits. He emphasized the role of expansive imagination in swiftly realizing designs, enabling those with vivid imaginations to quickly conceptualize projects. While some may utilize design software, Al-Balushi personally favours involving clients directly in the creative process, encouraging them to sketch designs themselves.
Mohammed shared that for him, one's ability to achieve both the impossible and the possible hinges upon a person's determination and persistence in the pursuit of their goals.
He advised young sculptors and artists against dwelling on the challenges and pressures faced during a project, urging instead to focus solely on completing the task, as those difficult moments quickly fade from memory.
Additionally, Mohammed highlighted three detrimental words—'I do not know,' 'I cannot,' and 'impossible'—which he deemed as fatal blows to success, urging individuals to avoid their usage. He stressed the importance of transforming these words into personal challenges, to be tackled with unwavering determination and faith. Belief in one's capacity to overcome obstacles, he asserted, is the cornerstone of achievement and excellence in any endeavour.
Mohammed also reminded me that instead of focusing on competition, one should focus more on learning new skills and self-motivating to be more creative and promote personal growth. He also said an emerging young artist or sculptor can spend more quality time deepening one's knowledge and enriching his own experiences.
'Everyone has their unique voice and there are plenty of opportunities around for new, quality work. If artists invest in making themselves better so that nobody can do what they can do, for sure they will be able to create a niche for themselves,' Mohammed reminded.