Rami Abdulnour
Month of the Artist celebrates the valuable contributions artists make to Alberta
From an early age, Rami Abdulnour has been fascinated by art and the creativity that stems from it. Fortunate enough to get a start in photography because of his dad who owned a little photo studio in Damascus, Syria, he began working with embossing and etching cooper after running his own jewelry shop.
Abdulnour now makes Calgary his home along with his sister. Follow him on Instagram and check out his website at ramiart.ca.
How do you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m a newcomer artist from Damascus, Syria. While I have knowledge of being a goldsmith, I love mixing this technique in creating art in Calgary, by redesigning things in the way I see them on copper. Techniques I use for creating my art are embossing, etching, engraving, metal press and patina, and other colors.
What does living a creative life mean to you?
Creating and development are my priority in Canada—creating art and creating with others, developing my techniques and in self development. These elements keep me moving to involve in communities and building my history, reputation, and memories.
What do you love about Calgary and what is one place you go to find inspiration in Calgary?
I love the combination between the natural and the city, it is where you experience wildlife inside a modern city.
One of the places was and still very special to me is Blackboard Gallery at cSPACE King Edward. There I could meet with creative people and find inspiration and development for my artistic practice, specially diamond setting as it was my career and gaining new skills in craft and art as well.
If you could do one thing this year to make Calgary a better place to live, what would it be?
Better life for homeless people.
What piece of advice would you give to an emerging artist?
Some things keep me moving and I would like to share them.
As I said I’m newcomer and I had to focus on many things at the same time, but all those things I keep them in one category, which is building my infrastructure of my life in Canada, such as working experience, English language, networking, artistic development, developing artwork techniques, and understanding the natural of the city.
I committed with my thoughts because I believed in what I’m doing, and ignore a lot of thoughts that would hold me or thoughts that would take me away from my path, and after two years of hard working and support from Calgary Arts Development, I can say that I’m all confident that many dreams are coming truth. My advice is to keep going, take a break when it is tough and down, then get up again and again, and it will work.
What are you currently working on?
In near future I’m going to start learning jewelry wax engraving, it will be used to create models for the project of online store, it is a combination of jewelry craft practice with art, and I would like to share this work on social media when it is ready.
About Alberta’s Month of the Artist
September is the Month of the Artist in Alberta, an annual celebration of artists and the value they bring to the province, both socially and economically.
Dedicated by the Government of Alberta, the Month of the Artist is a way to say thank you for making the province a better place to live.
Calgary Arts Development is pleased to share the stories of artists who choose to live and work in Calgary.
Have a story to share? Email us at submissions@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.
