His work is the percolation of material investigation and form, within his work, he embeds multiple layers with the intent to create a visually poetic encounter. His work speaks of a place that exists between two worlds, longing and belonging, with a pointed reference to the political discourse around migration, identity, place, memory, nationhood and personal lived experience.
In his recent works, Sha draws from the visual aesthetic of Farsi script in particular ‘Nastaliq’ one of the main calligraphic hands used in writing the Farsi alphabets.
Sha holds a diploma of Graphic Design (2005), a Bachelor of Fine Art from the Queensland College of Arts, Griffith University (2015), and an Honours degree in Visual Arts from Victoria College of Arts, Melbourne University (2018).
In 2015 Sha was awarded a High commendation at The Churchie National Emerging Art Prize. Sha is the recipient of the inaugural prize of 2016 Home and Art prize at Walker Street Gallery & Arts Centre, Dandenong. In 2017 he was awarded Most Critically Engaged Work at CCP Salon, Australian Centre for Photography. Most recently, in 2018 he was awarded the Fiona Myer Award for excellence at VCA, Melbourne University, and named a finalist in the Blacktown Art Prize.
Us
ا ج ر), and the first two letters designed a new form which makes the word ‘Us’, (ھم) in Urdu language and is pronounced as (Hum ھم). This sculpture is a metaphorical representation of the migrant communities in the new lands in which they settle. While these communities must learn a new language and adopt new ways of life, they carry their knowledge, memories and cultural aesthetics that enhance the surroundings and enrich the community as a whole and demonstrates ‘us’ as a multicultural society.
Through this project, my aim is to showcase the opulent aesthetic of Nastaliq script, that forms the design of the sculpture. Nastaliq is one of the main calligraphic hands used in Persian and Urdu alphabet and traditionally the predominant style in calligraphy writings across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and almost in all Arab countries. The shape and design of the sculpture ‘Us’ allow it to be incorporated and used as a public infrastructure in the form of a river overcrossing; functioning as a bridge which will make river crossing much more fun for people to be able to slide down to the other side of the river. Furthermore, the sculpture as a bridge becomes a symbol of bringing people together and connecting places that are physically distanced.
The sculpture’s interactivity completes the suggested concept of reunion inviting us to playfully ponder on the very much polarised issue of our time.