ABOUT MICHAEL NASHEF
Nashef's artistic prowess extends beyond the classroom, with his works exhibited in numerous national and international shows, showcasing his unique vision and mastery of the craft. In addition to his creative endeavors, Nashef has ventured into the realm of entrepreneurship once again, founding a new company dedicated to designing and manufacturing jewelry organizational tools tailored to the needs of the industry. Driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation, Michael Nashef continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of jewelry design, inspiring both fellow artisans and enthusiasts alike with his passion and creativity.
Michael Nashef is a multifaceted artist and entrepreneur with a diverse background in metals and jewelry design. Holding a Master of Fine Arts degree in Metals/Jewelry Design from Bowling Green State University, Nashef's journey in the world of jewelry spans various roles and accomplishments. With a passion for craftsmanship and creativity, Nashef has honed his skills not only as a jewelry designer but also as a proficient manager of a jewelry store. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish his own fine jewelry company, Intersecting Hearts, where he seamlessly blends innovation with traditional craftsmanship. Throughout his career, Nashef has also shared his expertise with aspiring artists and designers as an instructor at prestigious academic institutions including Kendall College of Art and Design, Western Michigan University, and Towson University in Maryland, where he served as an area coordinator and lecturer.
Artist Statment
Functional Resilience
Throughout history, peace has been a scarce commodity in any human civilization, and war seems to be a dominant theme. Destruction is one of the prevailing outcomes of these wars. Having lived in war-torn Lebanon for half of my life, I have seen a lot of destruction and damage that has been imposed on beautiful architecture. It takes months, even years, to design, build and finish a building, yet it takes less than a second to bring it crumbling down with a powerful bomb. Nevertheless, with all the damage the Lebanese architecture sustained, these buildings still function as vessels for human life. They kept us safe, sheltered us, housed us, and shielded us. Seeing the decimation of these structures has caused me to crave perfection, and I grew attracted to the clean lines and curves of modern architecture, which I pursue in my work.
Influenced by the vernacular of architecture and building materials, I have constructed structures that double as vessels. These vessels are distilled representations of war-torn buildings, whose functional resilience comes from the stable and strong material used, cement. This truth, coupled with my inquisitive nature, has brought me to create innovative processes and methods in which my work is created. The simplicity of the forms and lines allow the shot/damaged parts on the vessels to be highlighted and accentuated. By bridging the aesthetics and the materials within my work, I ask the viewer to form a connection to their surroundings, realizing that there is no perfection, only an adaptation to our current status and situation.