Dr. Shahir Maged Mikhail is an artist that is not only dedicated to creating art, but also to sustainability. Shahir’s relationship with wood started in his childhood. He uses driftwood from shipwrecks he finds in the sea and turns them into beautiful functional art pieces. Almost 10 years ago, he took the brave decision to become a full-time artist and leave his job as an orthopedic surgeon behind. Jenin Abbas spoke to him about his path.
How did you become an artist?I can start by sharing my story. I am 47 years old, born and raised in Alexandria. I come from a family of doctors, all from my father's side, and have a strong inclination toward mathematics. Despite I preferred to study architecture, I enrolled into medical school. Growing up in Agami, surrounded by nature and stimulation, played a significant role in shaping my interests for wood art. Agami at the time was a very safe place with a beach with white sand. We were living a natural tarazan life.
After university, where I studied orthopedics, I aimed for bone surgery due to its resemblance to woodworking. However, I ended up in critical medicine, a field that didn't align with my hands-on nature. Disappointed, I quit and pursued an equivalency test for England. Although challenging, I returned to Egypt after 2.5 years, completed a Master's in Orthopedics, and worked as a bone doctor.
The demanding life of a doctor in Egypt led me to explore woodwork as a side hobby. Encouragement from friends and successful exhibitions made me realize its commercial potential. After three years of working as an artist besides being a doctor, I took a brave decision to leave medicine and pursue woodwork full-time. It's been almost 10 years, and I've been dedicated to my passion ever since.
What sets me apart as an artist, I believe, are the unique circumstances that shaped my identity. I grew up in a conservative Alexandrian family, surrounded by doctors, but with a father who had a passion for fishing and woodwork. Additionally, our neighbor, who had a raw love for wood, further exposed me to its various forms and crafting techniques. Coming from a family with a strong intellectual background, particularly because of my brilliant grandfather who was a mathematician. My childhood was incredibly stimulating – my father engaged in woodwork, my cousin in electronics, and another friend in working with wood and old cars. This exposure led me to explore various hands-on activities, and growing up with a workshop in Agami provided me with both the skill and the taste for craftsmanship.
I still work at this workshop. Basically, I live in Agami.
What was your parents' reaction when you decided to quit being a doctor and become an artist?
It wasn't a decision I made overnight. I resisted pursuing a medical career during my second and last years of university. Even after returning from England, I no longer had the desire to continue in medicine, but my parents continued to encourage me. Despite successfully completing my masters in orthopedics and establishing myself as a competent and well-liked doctor, I found myself lacking motivation for a medical career. Having grown up immersed in nature and the sea, returning to city life felt like a nightmare. My parents advised me to stay in my medical career, but I reached a breaking point. While they weren't thrilled, they eventually accepted and became supportive of my decision, despite the challenges given their backgrounds.
My woodwork is highly unconventional, straddling the line between sculpture and traditional woodworking. I primarily work with driftwood, with over 80% sourced from fishing boats, often originating from Africa. This type of wood, durable and beautiful, sets my work apart from classical woodworking. I've taught myself all the techniques I use today, navigating the unique challenges posed by boat wood. Working with irregular shapes, no fixed thicknesses, and non-flat surfaces demands distinct methods.
Do you categorize your woodwork as furniture?
I refer to it as "green functional art" due to its upcycling nature. By repurposing discarded, I transform them into pieces that are not only durable and aesthetically pleasing but also functional. I take pride in crafting furniture that combines good looks with comfort and health-conscious design. Drawing on my medical background, I ensure chairs provide proper back support and seating comfort.
Can you make a living with your wood art?
It's almost sufficient. I maintain reasonable prices, considering that each piece takes two months to create. Achieving the quality, thoughtful design, and attention to detail that characterize my work demands considerable time and effort. While I collect driftwood from the beaches and the seaside by myself and sometimes I have to carry it for long distances and then I restore it by myself. The preparation, restoration and assortment processes are time-consuming. Building up enough experience and patience is crucial.
Initially, I adjusted prices to be more comfortable financially, but the onset of substantial inflation eroded the real value. I cannot raise prices proportionally due to the risk of making pieces unaffordable for customers. Despite price adjustments, the increase gets absorbed by rising living costs.
How do you supplement your income?
My parents purchased an apartment initially intended for use as a clinic. I now rent out this apartment, providing a steady, albeit modest, passive income from family assets. In all honesty, sustaining a family on this income would be challenging due to the intense effort and commitment my work demands. I can do it because I love it, and that passion is what keeps me going.
August 2024