Alan H. Hamwi, Sculptor
Biography
I pursued my passion for sculpture at Antioch University and further honed my artistic skills at prestigious institutions such as the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland, the Aegean School of Fine Arts in Paros, Greece, Wright State University, Columbus College of Art and Design, and The Ohio State University.
With 12 years of dedicated service as a professional firefighter and paramedic for the City of Huber Heights and the City of Columbus Fire Department, I successfully balanced my commitment to public safety with my artistic endeavors as an exhibiting artist. In 1996, I transitioned to focus entirely on my art, turning my vision into reality through the creation of stunning works in bronze, clay, welded steel, stone carving, and mixed media.
My body of work spans abstract, figurative, and animal sculptures, ranging from captivating maquettes to monumental installations. Notably, I have designed numerous iconic public artworks, including two majestic lowland gorillas, a striking tiger, a heartwarming warthog family, a dynamic hammerhead shark with a moray eel and eagle ray, a tender manatee mother with her calf, an engaging orangutan, a powerful lion, and the abstract piece titled Gaia. My other noteworthy installations include a life-size bobcat, a graceful manta ray, and two striking pieces for Huntington Park baseball stadium. Most recently, I completed two installations featuring a charming bear family and ascending doves in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Throughout my career, I have actively participated in and garnered numerous prestigious awards at fine art festivals across the nation, from Florida to Illinois, New York to South Carolina, Georgia, Colorado, Arizona, and Ohio. My work resonates with designers and landscape architects alike, who frequently seek out my sculptures to enhance their projects. Moreover, I take pride in producing commissioned pieces, collaborating intimately with patrons to realize their visions, including a significant work presented to Jimmy Carter by the Windstar Foundation in Aspen, Colorado.