Twist and sculpt

Most people may forget about a passing motorcycle they see on the highway, but University of Dayton graduate student Khaled Hamdan ’25 cannot stop thinking about it. He sees all of the ways he can transform that motorcycle into a remarkable work of art. 

Along with earning his master’s in civil engineering, Hamdan creates and sells unique wire art sculptures that express both his creativity and his engineering prowess. Hamdan, originally from Jordan, began creating wire artwork in 2014 by transforming 2D drawings into 3D sculptures, winding wire to be the perfect material. 

“Wire is easy material,” he said. “It's easy to find, it's easy to bend, easy to twist, easy to wrap.”

Hamdan ultimately wants to work for a construction company and create larger sculptures by welding. He hopes to continue his passion on a larger scale and expand his workspace to a large outdoor space to make his art bigger and better.

Hamdan advises similar artists to understand customer expectations, keep their business updated with trends and to “learn by doing.” He emphasizes that having an enjoyable hobby is key, and that practice fosters mastery and success. 

“By practicing you can do whatever you want,” he said. 

All of Hamdan’s projects begin with a drawing of the sculpture he wants to build. He then figures out where to start the sculpture and what size wire is appropriate to use for each project. Next, he breaks down the drawing into individual parts and makes those separately before assembling it into one complete figure. He uses pliers and other tools he has made himself to bend and shape the wires. 

Once all of the pieces have been assembled, Hamdan usually adds adhesive and may use paint, polish or a coating for finishing touches. Completing a sculpture takes anywhere from one hour to more than 20. The entire process can take days depending on the time it takes for glue or other coatings to dry. Finished pieces can evoke everyday items — motorcycles, a lightbulb, dreamcatchers — while others take on the striking lines of a thoroughbred horse or the whimsy of a face.

This process of building and assembling smaller pieces into a finished whole mirrors Hamdan’s engineering experience. 

“Sometimes in civil engineering, especially in management, you have to break down things just to understand them,” he said.

“To start to build something as a major item or whole item sometimes is impossible.”

Hamdan came to UD for its engineering programs and has found that his education has both improved his language abilities and problem solving skills. 

“What I like about civil engineering is the project about case studies and solving the problem,” he said. “Most of the examples in civil engineering are related to actual things in life.”

Hamdan also achieved valuable experience in business marketing and selling his wire art. He attributes his success in the art world to social media, especially his Instagram account, “TheArtology.”

“It takes me to the next step because without social media you cannot exist,” he said. “You have to be a bit trendy.”