Ahmad Al-Wis: The Journey of a Pencil Artist from Syria to Germany

Ahmad Al-Wis: The Journey of a Pencil Artist from Syria to Germany

The Artistic Journey of Ahmad Al-Wis

From a young age, Ahmad Al-Wis found himself enchanted by the world of cartoons, inspiring him to create intricate pencil drawings that would later define his artistic career. Born and raised in Syria, Al-Wis started his artistic journey as a child, using his talent to design advertisements on the facades and walls of commercial shops in his village. This not only honed his skills but also provided him with his first set of drawing tools, a testament to his resourcefulness.

His artistry did not stop when he moved to Germany; instead, it continued to flourish. Currently, Al-Wis balances a career in painting with his academic studies, proving his dedication to his craft. He is particularly known for drawing celebrities he admires, including Al Pacino, Mahmoud Darwish, Fairuz, Umm Kulthum, Abdul Majeed Abdullah, and Assala Nasri. Al-Wis also plans to draw Abdul Halim Hafez and Warda Al-Jazairia, with the intention of gifting these portraits to living celebrities as a memento.

From Pencil Sketches to Digital Art

Al-Wis’s artistic expression is not confined to pencil sketches. He enjoys exploring various fields of art and showcasing his creations on social media platforms. This young Arab artist is currently preparing for an exhibition featuring black-and-white works. Simultaneously, he is venturing into the digital realm by working on a project involving non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Here, he plans to create digital symbols with new designs and ideas for sale online.

His first exhibition in Germany was a significant milestone in his career, where he showcased a piece he completed five years ago in a workshop. The workshop supervisor was so impressed with Al-Wis’s work that he insisted on keeping the piece. This validation of his artistic abilities further motivated Al-Wis to continue nurturing his talent.

From Syria to Germany: A Journey of Resilience

Al-Wis’s journey from Syria to Germany is a story of resilience and determination. Forced to leave his village in Syria due to the war, Al-Wis moved to Turkey with his younger brother. Despite the challenges, he continued to develop his drawing skills. His journey eventually led him to Europe, where he arrived in Germany in 2015.

Upon his arrival in Germany, he received support from the “Youth Office,” which provided him with drawing tools and arranged a meeting with a German artist. This artist suggested exhibiting Al-Wis’s work in a gallery showcasing multiple artists’ work, an opportunity that further propelled his career.

Continuing the Artistic Journey

To acquire skills closest to his passion for colors and brushes, Al-Wis enrolled in a vocational training course for manual labor, choosing the painting profession. He also used his spare time during the course to create a painting expressing the rush of ideas one tries to implement, only for them to explode in one’s head.

Now 25, Al-Wis plans to study programming at the University of Bonn or the Institute for Application Development in Essen. In addition to his artistic pursuits and academic aspirations, Al-Wis also volunteers at a nursing home, demonstrating his commitment to serving his community.