shorsh saleh

Shorsh Saleh: A Voice From Kurdistan

Shorsh Saleh is a Kurdish mixed media artist, designer of tapete and tecelao. His works focus on the subject of migration, border and identity. Based in the UK, he exhibited both national as internationaly. Studied MA Traditional Arts at The King’s Foundation, School of Traditional Arts, Londres, where tem ensinado tecelagem de tapetes desde 2015. Sus obras son realizadas en The Royal Collection Trust, The King’s Foundation, British Museum, Bagri Foundation e The Islamic Art Museum, Malásia. Saleh nació no kurdistán iraquiano y creció na cidade de Erbil. Él mantém una fuerte conexión con sua herança curda y muitas vezes incorpora elementos dele em seu trabalho. Como artista, él está profundamente preocupado com questões de identidade, migración y deslocamento, que se reflejan en su uso de motivos y símbolos kurdos tradicionales. La arte de saleh muchas veces assume la forma de pinturas en miniatura intrincadas y tapetes tecidos à mão, que sirven como un medio de contar historias y preservar el patrimonio cultural. Saleh’s artistic journey began in Kurdistan, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by his people during the Iraqi-Kurdish civil war. This formative experience instilled a deep empathy for displacement and resilience—themes that permeate much of his oeuvre. Recognizing the importance of formal education, he pursued an MA in Traditional Arts at The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, honing his skills in techniques ranging from geometry to stained glass, solidifying his understanding of artistic heritage. His fascination with carpet weaving emerged organically from a desire to explore Kurdish cultural traditions and to translate complex narratives into visual form. Studying the symbolism embedded within tribal designs—patterns that carry histories and beliefs passed down through generations—influenced his approach to miniature painting and sculpture. He skillfully blends these ancient crafts with contemporary concerns, reflecting on issues of identity and migration in ways that resonate powerfully with audiences worldwide. Saleh’s artistic output has garnered recognition from prestigious institutions including The Royal Collection Trust, The King’s Foundation, British Museum, Bagri Foundation and Islamic Art Museum Malaysia. His works have been showcased in exhibitions across Europe and North America, demonstrating his commitment to sharing Kurdish art and culture with a global audience. Notably, he was Artist in Residence at the Migration Museum in London, where he explored how artistic expression can illuminate experiences of displacement and foster dialogue about cultural understanding. Recent achievements include participation in “The Football Art Prize,” showcasing his talent alongside fellow artists from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, his collaborative project with The Horniman Museum explores themes of social justice through visual storytelling. His ongoing teaching engagements at institutions like The Migration Museum and the V&A Museum underscore his dedication to nurturing artistic creativity and promoting intercultural exchange—a testament to Shorsh Saleh’s enduring legacy as a storyteller and innovator in the realm of mixed media art.