Omar Sha3: Inside the forever growing world of a creative genius

At 26, Omar Sha3 is the Palestinian artist setting the standard for visual storytelling across SWANA with his expansive work in photography, painting, and design. Based between the UAE and Jordan, Sha3 channels the otherworldly beauty of his heritage and the evocative relationship between nature and memory into his work. His photography and art speak for themselves; bursting with colour and whimsy, there’s a playful effervescence in each piece. Arab landscapes are a familiar fixture in his frames, be it the craggy, bare rocks of the desert or the sunset steeping the scene in its final amber. Having collaborated with Dior Beauty, Gucci, Maison Margiela, and appearing in magazines such as GQ, Elle, MyKali, and Jamalouki, Sha3 is already leaving an indelible mark on the region’s creative scene, dedicated to laying bare the beauty of his homeland. 

Raised in Naour, Sha3 credits his mother for nurturing his imaginative lens: “Growing up in a village surrounded by the natural beauty and quiet mysticism of the Levant, I was taught by my mother to see beyond the ordinary and find stories in the horizon,” Sha3 explains to Dazed MENA. “The landscapes, people, and atmosphere of Levantine villages continue to inspire me, pushing me to capture that hidden world and invite others to see it, too.”

Sha3’s recent exhibition, ‘Smr,’ held at Turbo Amman in August 2024, offered a window into his reflections on family, nostalgia, and the unspoken strength of maternal bonds–even reckoning with the bond the artist drew between his pregnant cat and his mother. Large graphite drawings and pottery pieces soaked in Dead Sea salt stood as a tribute to the topographies that have shaped his artistic expression. “Seeing such a large community come together with people filling the gallery space and spilling onto the sidewalk was heartwarming and gave me a sense of confidence I’ll always carry with me,” Sha3 tells Dazed MENA. “It showed me that there’s a real audience for the stories I’m telling.”

Even with his extensive roster of A-list photography collaborations—including Volkswagen, Burberry, and Hugo Boss, to name a few more—Sha3’s artistic focus remains close to home. He draws inspiration from eclectic sources: the iconic aesthetics of 90s fashion photography, Arabic pop music, and the natural charm of Naour. “It’s a village that embodies the lush greenery and complex beauty of Levantine landscapes, with its views of Palestine and the salty air of the Dead Sea,” Sha3 reflects. “I blend these elements with modern themes, creating pieces that feel both nostalgic and current.”

Creatively, Sha3 is compelled by a reverence for nostalgia, describing it as an instinct that prompts him to preserve ephemeral moments through his art. “It’s the constant search for memories that frames our utopia,” Sha3 observes. “Whether in a memory, a natural landscape, or a fleeting emotion, I’m driven by a desire to capture these elusive threads and bring them into focus.” In a broader sense, Sha3 envisions his work as a bridge between worlds, offering a fresh vantage point that elevates the overlooked. “I want my work to offer a new lens for seeing the world—a perspective that reveals the depth and hidden beauty around us, helping people see beyond the surface of their surroundings,” he explains. “I want to create a visual and conceptual language that bridges different worlds and cultures.”

Sha3’s next project is a photo series that focuses on widows and the resilience they find while grieving. “The first piece in this series captures my mother’s hand holding four turtles at different stages of hatching—each representing a phase of rebirth and hope amidst a loss. It’s a deeply personal exploration of how women in my community navigate grief and discover strength in small, intimate moments.” In addition to this, he’s experimenting with pottery and Dead Sea clay sculptures, looking into themes of transformation and renewal. 

Through his art, Sha3 invites viewers into a vision of the region that exhibits all of its dimensions, underscoring the belief in the transformative power of authentic visual storytelling. “I hope to see more artists who reflect the region’s complexities—our humour, resilience, and creativity—and who aren’t just challenging stereotypes but reshaping global perspectives through their unique voices.”