The Birdman, artist Semaan Khawam at Appetite

Artist Semaan Khawam, who calls himself “Birdman”, spoke with me at Appetite’s Astley Walk arts space in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where he is artist-in-residence during Allison Lochhead’s Art for Peace exhibition.

Born in Syria and raised in Beirut after his family fled conflict in the 1980s, Semaan reflects on displacement, identity and the freedom he finds through art. Working with discarded materials, he transforms waste into sculptures that explore migration, borders and the human desire to be free.

Birds appear throughout his work, symbols of movement, return, and a life without borders.

During the conversation, Semaan also describes his latest sculpture, The Flying Instrument of the Mind, created from wire, plaster and salvaged materials while working in the gallery space.

A thoughtful discussion about art, refuge, and the power of creativity to turn the world’s “garbage” into something peaceful.

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