Shahid Abbas is a British/Pakistani Artist and Designer, based in the UK. His practice spans Product Design, Sculpture, and Photography. His current work explores the use of algorithms to generate and fabricate three-dimensional forms. Shahid’s research is informed by the capability of generative design methods creating complex forms, parametric abstractions, the variable, and the unexpected.
Shahid’s work combines the traditions of Islamic geometric patterns with the aesthetics of digital imagery and algorithms. Parametric art is important because it is opening new avenues for design investigation, where the decisions made by computer algorithms are as important as the designer’s aesthetic value judgements. This visual narrative or metamorphoses, with its mystical undertones, creates a bridge between the past, present, and future.
Education
2019
MA Product Design – University for the Creative Arts UK,
Major Project Title: Quasicrystalline: 3D form-finding based on Islamic geometric patterns by utilising generative design methods.
2005
Post Graduate Diploma in Animation & Film – National College of the Arts, Lahore
2003
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)– Painting- University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
Thesis Title: “Anxiety through visual language”
2001
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)– Painting & Sculpture- University of Peshawar, Peshawar.
2000
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) – Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar
Work History
Senior Designer
David Redman London, Brighton, UK (May 2013 – to date)
Product design from first sketch to production follow up, Concept designer, CAD modeller. Working from front-end insight and research, through ideas generation and development. Experience in designing custom products for a range of applications. My work varies from project to project and range from bespoke individual pieces to designing units for mass production.
Senior 3D Artist (Freelance Artist)
Dog Day Games LTD, Cambridge, UK (April 2015 – To Date)
High / Low poly modelling and texturing characters, environment buildings, landscapes, and props. UI design, development, and processing through storyboard, mock-ups, wire-frames, design documentation, and final graphic element construction for mobile and web platforms. Branding and Identity design of Dogdaygames and Products.
Art Director (Graphic / Event Design)
NOMADA L.L.C, Dubai, UAE (July 2006 – May 2013)
NOMADA is a full time Event management and design consultancy firm. We at NOMADA are working as a production house for our events. We also do corporate Videos, Branding, event concepts and such. It has got a multidisciplinary and versatile creative environment.
Lecturer (Drawing, Painting & History of Western Art)
Department of Fine Arts, University of Peshawar (Sep 2003- May 2006)
Served as a teacher for MFA and BFA classes on a Two-year contract. Prepared Drawing, Painting and History assignments. Work with curriculum development team for effective teaching strategies in Art education. I also taught computer graphics applications, such as 3D studio Max, PhotoShop and CorelDraw to graphic design students.
SOLO & GROUP EXHIBITIONS
The Makers’ Art Collective at Gallery@OXO, as part of the London Design Festival, 2019
MA Graduation Show, James Hockey Gallery, UCA Farnham, 2019
“Lead to Inspire” The Arbour, London, UK, 2014
Photography Exhibition, “Light Traveling” au centre d’art 360m3 à Lyon, France, 2012
Light and Video Installation, Sharjah Executive Council, 2012
Solo Photography Exhibition, “A Smile for my City” Sharjah Light Festival, 2011
Light and Video Installation, Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 2010
Photography Exhibition, “The Journey is the Reward” 25 Years Celebrations of JAFZA, Dubai, 2010
Light and Video Installation, Al Barari, Dubai 2010
Group Show The Third Line Gallery Dubai, 2009
Group Show Maraya Gallery Sharjah, 2007
Group Show Courtyard Gallery Dubai, 2006
Light and Video Installation, National College of Arts, 2005
Group Show, “Breaking the Mould” UNESCO, Islamabad 2004
Group Show, Gul jee Award NWFP Pakistan, 2004
Group Show, S.S Hyder Award, NWFP Pakistan, 2003.
“ Anxiety Through Visual Language” Thesis Show, Department of Fine Arts University of Peshawar. 2001
Group Show, S.S Hyder Award, NWFP Pakistan, 2001.
“The Walled City of Peshawar” Pakistan National Council of the Arts, Islamabad. 2000