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Mohamed Abouzeid
Mohamed Abouzeid
Mohamed Abouzeid grew up in Tunis village in Fayoum, Egypt, a place world renowned for its ceramics community and natural beauty. As a child he watched his father, celebrated potter Ahmed Abouzeid, make ceramics and spent many happy days helping him in his studio behind their house, learning from his artistic practice and extensive knowledge of traditional Egyptian ceramics processes. As he got older he developed his own unique artistic style, combining the influence of his dad, techniques of his homeland and interest in Japanese handmade ceramics.
Mohamed;s pottery practice combines his interests in the ceramic heritage of Egypt and traditional techniques from around the world, with his passion for experimenting with the chemistry of glaze, clay and firing processes to create unique and inventive artistic pieces.
He likes to let his materials determine his work, playing with their possibilities and using their distinctive qualities as something to work with, not against. He sources his materials from the landscape of Egypt, whether that's using earthenware clay from Aswan, or copper oxides from the Eastern Desert region. In this way his work can be viewed as an exploration of the innate minerals and organic materials that make up Egypt’s diverse natural environment.
Mohamed's approach to glazing centres around his interest in layering oxides to create interesting patterns, relationships and organic textures. When firing his pieces he often experiments with different techniques, such as reduction firing, a process in which oxygen is limited and organic matter is introduced to the kiln during the cooling process, reacting with the glaze to create unique metallic blooms of colour. He enjoys the unpredictability of these processes, which allow him to balance both his knowledge of glaze chemistry and artistry. This commitment to experimentation brings an originality and vitality to every piece he creates.
His work has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions at venues like the ZEN Art Gallery in Cairo, Galeria 40 in Sheikh Zayed, and the Cairo Opera House, where his pieces narrate the intricate stories of Egypt’s cultural tapestry. His work is also featured in private collections across the world, including Germany, France, Japan, Dubai, the UK, Canada and the USA.
After obtaining a bachelors degree in law, Mohamed decided to pursue his artistic practice instead, and took up a position as a Ceramics Workshop Supervisor at the German University in Cairo in 2016. Over five years, he mentored undergraduate students, while also supervising bachelor’s and pre-master’s projects, sharing his skills and knowledge and helping to inspire a new generation of ceramic artists.
Mohamed is dedicated to teaching, creating and community development. In 2018 he established Abouzeid Ceramics, a thriving pottery studio based in Fustat Pottery Village in Cairo. The studio serves as a creative hub for a wide variety of makers, from beginner potters to established artists, and offers specialized courses in techniques such as throwing, hand-building and glazing as well as residencies, internships and educational field trips to pottery communities across Egypt.
Mohamed’s passion for his craft extends beyond his studio walls. As a consultant for the Grace Pottery Cluster Development Project, he championed the revival of Egypt’s pottery communities, working across Fayoum, Gharbeya, and Monufeya governorates. His dedication to preserving cultural heritage and empowering artisans also led him to Naqada in Qena Governorate, where he collaborated with local potters to revitalize traditional glazing techniques, explore innovative uses of colors and oxides, and introduce advanced methods for firing ceramics. His work in Naqada not only preserved invaluable pottery traditions, but also inspired local artisans to innovate while honoring their cultural roots.
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