Ceramist Samir El-Gindy never forgot the advice of his art teacher when he was a secondary school in Ismailia: to join the Faculty of Applied Arts, Ceramics Department (founded by Said Al-Sadr). That is where Samir El-Guindy now teaches. It was there he learned to create make pots and decorate them, and even how to restore rare pieces that are damaged. He joined the faculty in 1964, when his fingers touched the rotating wheel for the first time, turning clay into magnificent ceramic pieces.
His fingers began to move automatically as if he had practiced this art since his childhood and adolescence. Al-Sadr did not want to restrict his student’s creations with whatever is academic or traditional, so he advised him to unleash his imagination and let his creative energy soar.
El-Gindy gained fame for his prolific workwhich didn’t adhere to the traditional style. He used the spinning wheel but he added creative touches at the end of each piece. He decorates his ceramic pieces with Arabic letters but he adds floral, animal and human motifs. The artist received countless prizes and participated in several collective and international exhibitions as well as giving his own solo shows. He became a pioneer in the world of Islamic ceramic art.
*A version of this article appears in print in the 7 May, 2020 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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