Ahmed Abouzeid

Ahmed Abouzeid was born in Cairo in 1959 to an artistic family. His pottery career began in 1976 when, at just 17 years old, he was introduced by his father to Mohieddin Hussein, one of Egypt's most celebrated pottery artists. Inspired by Hussein’s craftsmanship and dedication, Ahmed apprenticed in his small pottery studio near Cairo, learning the foundations of ceramics production and beginning his lifelong passion for pottery.

Determined to carve his own path, Ahmed established his first pottery studio in Benha in the Nile Delta in 1982.

During this time Ahmed met and fell in love with Ikram, a young journalist who also happened to be living in Tunis. When they got married he moved hi studio to the Tunis village. This studio became a creative haven where Ahmed perfected his craft over the following decades, supported by his wife and son, Mohammed, who both became integral to his artistic practice.

In the early 2000s, Ahmed was entrusted with designing the signage system for the Valley of the Whales (Wadi El-Hitan), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Fayoum famous for its fossilized whale skeletons. Rejecting standard materials such as metal or plastic, Ahmed opted to create the signs using earthenware clay (sourced from Aswan in Upper Egypt) with a copper oxide glaze (from the Red Sea mountains). Through using these site-specific materials, the signs became an art installation themselves, reflecting and complimenting the area's natural beauty as well as its historical and cultural significance.

Beyond his work in Tunis, Ahmed engaged in extensive research into traditional Egyptian pottery techniques, advocating for their preservation and recognition as artistically and culturally significant. Ahmed also collaborated with cultural institutions, such as working as a ceramics consultant for IMC, part of the Ministry of Industry, to promote his country's pottery on a national and international scale. In addition to this, he also worked with communities in the Delta and Western Desert regions of Egypt to develop their pottery practice and reinvigorate their traditional techniques, instilling a renewed sense of pride and recognition in their unique ceramics cultures.

In Tunis, Ahmed didn’t just focus on his own work—he became a cornerstone of the local pottery scene. In 2011 he created the Tunis Pottery Festival, an annual event that established Tunis's reputation as one of Egypt's most vibrant ceramics communities. The festival showcases and celebrates both traditional and contemporary pottery, attracting artisans and visitors from across Egypt and beyond, while providing a vital economic boost to local artists and businesses.

Ahmed’s contributions to the local community extended beyond the festival. He became a mentor to many other potters in Tunis, sharing his techniques and encouraging innovation while preserving the essence of traditional Egyptian ceramics. Through workshops, collaborations, and personal guidance, Ahmed helped to foster a thriving community of potters in the village

Ahmed’s pottery has been featured in exhibitions in Cairo and beyond, earning him recognition as one of Egypt’s most significant contemporary potters. He passed away in 2015, but his legacy continues in the flourishing artistic community of Tunis, where his work and mentorship of young potters have left an indelible mark. Today, thanks to Ahmed’s vision and dedication, Tunis village is recognized worldwide, as a place where pottery traditions and artistic innovations can coexist.

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