Oui-Sam Melhem

Oui-sam Melhem is a painter, sculptor, and teacher who exhibits in museums globally. Born in Hamra, Beirut in 1974, Ou-isam found an early interest in art, which was encouraged by his mother, who was a teacher. He was punished by his school teachers for doodling and coloring in his reading books. At the age of 13, he became interested in architecture, fascinated by plans, houses, spaces, alignment, and design. He pursued architecture in university and joined the army after graduation. Oui-sam later became a senior architect at Nadim Karam and Hapsitus Architects in Beirut and taught at the American University of Beirut. He introduced new teaching methods that gained him a reputation as an “out-of-the-box” thinker. Oui-sam is recognized for his talent and passion and has won various awards and competitions, making him one of the top architects in his field. He is known for his art, which often features five elements: the crown, the bird, the cloud, the city, and the human, and has a personal connection to his experiences growing up during the instability of Lebanon.