Echoes of Earth and Flight
Zabih Habib is a German-Afghan sculptor whose creative journey is defined by a lifelong dialogue with nature, heritage, and form. Raised in a family at the forefront of the Afghan gemstone trade, his early years were steeped in the raw beauty of minerals and the movement of the natural world. From a young age, Arabian stallions and falcons captured his imagination. These creatures, revered across Eastern and Middle Eastern traditions for their power, elegance, and symbolism, became enduring companions in his artistic language and helped shape a visual vocabulary that continues to evolve.
Habib’s adolescence in Germany brought formal training under master sculptor Harald Schunk, whose mentorship grounded his natural instincts in classical European technique. From this foundation, he developed a sculptural voice that values anatomical precision, structural clarity, and emotional restraint. These qualities lend his work a timeless sense of weight and balance. Over time, he expanded his repertoire to include not only fauna such as falcons, stallions, lions, and jaguars, but also flora and marine life, all rendered with the same reverence and sensitivity.
The American Southwest later provided a new source of inspiration. The vast desert landscapes and Indigenous spiritual traditions resonated with his intuitive approach. In this environment, he deepened his exploration of the sacred bond between humans and the natural world. His work increasingly became a synthesis of lapidary mastery and philosophical inquiry. These are pieces that do not merely depict life, but embody it. Across these environments, his art matured into a conversation between technique and spirit, past and present.
For Habib, the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the Emirates, has long been a place of deep creative alignment. Over nearly four decades, the region has not only inspired his artistic themes but also supported them through a network of collectors and collaborators. The stallions and falcons he sculpts are not ornamental; they are tributes to shared values such as resilience, grace, and legacy. The cultural and aesthetic ideals of the Emirates have profoundly influenced his practice, culminating in a dream project that remains central to his vision.
“For many years,” he shares, “I’ve envisioned a monumental installation. It would be deeply immersive, sculptural, and symbolic, designed specifically for a place like the United Arab Emirates or the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These nations don’t just support art, they embody it. They stand for vision, legacy, resilience, and refined luxury, principles that mirror my own philosophy.”
The envisioned work is a walkable sculpture garden composed of powerful animal forms, sacred geometry, and rare natural materials. It is meant to be an experiential space where visitors are enveloped by stillness, strength, and meaning.
“It would be my way of honoring the longstanding friendships and deep respect I hold for the people of the Emirates. I imagine a piece that reflects not only the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, but also the enduring beauty of the Arabian natural world. This would be more than a sculpture. It would be a legacy piece.”
