The Hijaz Railroad
Since he was a child, Samer has always been fond of train tracks. The sight of two lines running parallel to one another, stretching endlessly into the horizon, sparked his imagination and curiosity. It wasn’t just the mechanical or industrial aspect that fascinated him, but rather the symbolism embedded in their structure. To Samer, train tracks represented more than just transportation routes; they were metaphors for life’s journeys, connections, and the duality of paths. Parallel yet never intersecting, each carrying its own story while moving in tandem with another. This concept resonated deeply with him and became a recurring theme in both his personal reflections and artistic expressions.
As Samer grew older, his fascination evolved from mere observation to active incorporation into his art. He began to explore the aesthetic and philosophical implications of parallel lines, embedding them into many of his abstract works. These lines were not just design elements; they embodied ideas of movement, continuity, and the invisible forces that guide people through their lives. His artworks often invite viewers to contemplate the relationships between structure and fluidity, the fixed and the transient, much like train tracks that are rigid in form yet serve as conduits for dynamic motion.
In the year 2000, Samer’s deep-seated love for train tracks found a tangible manifestation in one of his most significant projects. He created four sculptural columns crafted from discarded wood salvaged from the infamous Hejaz railway station. The Hejaz railway, once a symbol of connection and ambition, had fallen into disuse, and its remnants carried layers of historical and emotional weight. By repurposing this wood, Samer not only preserved a fragment of history but also infused it with new meaning, transforming decay into art and memory into material form.
One of these sculptural columns became part of the Barjeel Foundation’s collection and in 2023, was exhibited at the “Parallel Histories” exhibition at the Sharjah Art Museum. The exhibition’s theme resonated perfectly with Samer’s work, as it explored the idea of coexisting narratives, historical intersections, and the layered complexities of past and present. The column stood as a silent yet powerful witness to these themes, its parallel lines echoing both literal and metaphorical journeys.