2024-03-29 11:11:35
The Contemporary Ceramics workshop of the Residence of France expands its horizons, hosting in residence from April 1st to 30th, for the first time from the Mediterranean South, two great artists, the Egyptian ceramist Heba Helmi and the Lebanese Nina Salem Shabb.
With this new geographical opening, another step is taken towards the realization of the long-term goal of the Center for Ceramic Contemporary Art of the Residence of France, which is none other than to make Rhodes once again a place of meeting and collaboration, a point of reference for artists from the entire Mediterranean, as it was in the past.
For a whole month, the two creators will get to know our cultural and architectural heritage, the Rhodesian ceramic art, the history and the beauties of the island and will share with the public of Rhodes techniques and traditions from their countries.
During the artistic residency, two different master classes will take place with a limited number of participants. Registration for the classes will only be done live, on Wednesday April 3 at 19:00 at the Accommodation of France, where the two artists will present their personal work together with the themes of the master classes.
The event is open to all interested parties.
The artistic residence of ceramics of the Residence of France is carried out in the framework of the program “ALF in Motion” of the Anna Lindh Foundation, funded by the European Union, in collaboration with the Museum of Modern Greek Art, the House of Europe in Rhodes, the Medows organization based in Lebanon, Shelter Art Space based in Egypt and supported by the South Aegean Region, the French Consular Authority of Rhodes and the Athens School of Fine Arts.
Who are the artists:
Heba Helmi from Egypt
Heba Helmi is a ceramist, visual artist, graphic designer, and writer.
He is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts of Helwan University, Cairo and has a master’s degree in Art History from the same university where he has taught.
She is the author of Gowaya Shahid, a book published in 2013 documenting street art during the Arab Spring in Egypt.
Heba Helmi lives between Cairo and the village of Fayoum – the center of production
of ceramics in Egypt – where she has expanded her creative output into ceramics.
Inspired by the Islamic tradition, she explores new materials and techniques, looking for new ways to shape clay. She brings her experience and love of Arabic calligraphy to her ceramic creations, introducing hidden messages or slogans that piqued her interest during the 2011 revolution into some of her works.
At the same time, Heba works as a graphic designer for major publishing houses and has a ceramics studio and gallery in Fustat – the center of ancient and modern ceramic production in Cairo – where she paints, creates ceramics and teaches. He holds regular exhibitions in Cairo.
Dr. Nina Salem Shabb from Lebanon
She declares: “I am a pathologist with a passion for ceramics! I maintain a full-time position as a professor of Pathology at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
I find working with clay an extension of myself.
I started by making ceramic “furniture” for my home, mainly tables, lamps and large vases with floral designs. Now I co-create with my clients such pieces for their homes. I like to work big and unusual.
I experiment with animals trying to express the human condition through them. I have also worked on used shoes expressing the character and condition of the person who wore them. The Raku technique is my favorite. I get inspiration from my surroundings.
I work in my workshop in the village of Vterram while also teaching pottery classes to non-ceramists seeking to bring together people from different social, ethnic and religious groups in Lebanon to work together to promote peace and understanding.”