Opens on Jul 5 until Jul 27, 2025
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Samira El Chami
Artefacts
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Glazed stoneware, 2024
wall pieces + 1 wall shelf
My sculptural ceramic body of work encapsulates my journey learning Arabic calligraphy on a 3D form. I explored different fonts and compositions while manipulating the clay to appear in motion. This parallels the intentional flow of calligraphy, allowing both of my practices to manifest into a harmonious acknowledgment of calligraphy's values. The glaze pooling creates a bold visual image as it is contrasted with the exposed clay. On some pieces, I carved on a form with beads surrounding the text. This is called a misbaha and is used religiously. My connection with this item is appreciating the simple beauty it radiates the same way calligraphy does.
1. glazed stoneware 8.5 x 8.5 x 1cm 2024
2. glazed stoneware 15.5 x 8.5 x 2cm 2024
3. glazed stoneware 7 x 6.5 x 2cm 2024
4. glazed stoneware 5 x 5 x 1cm 2024
5. glazed stoneware 3.5 x 5.5 x 0.1cm 2024
6. glazed stoneware 4 x 9.2 x 6 cm 2024
7. glazed stoneware 17.5 x 8.5 x 2cm 2024
8. glazed stoneware 12 x 8 x 2cm 2024
9. glazed stoneware 3.5 x 7 x 5.5cm 2024
My sculptural ceramic body of work encapsulates my journey learning Arabic calligraphy on a 3D form. I explored different fonts and compositions while manipulating the clay to appear in motion. This parallels the intentional flow of calligraphy, allowing both of my practices to manifest into a harmonious acknowledgment of calligraphy's values. The glaze pooling creates a bold visual image as it is contrasted with the exposed clay. On some pieces, I carved on a form with beads surrounding the text. This is called a misbaha and is used religiously. My connection with this item is appreciating the simple beauty it radiates the same way calligraphy does.
1. glazed stoneware 8.5 x 8.5 x 1cm 2024
2. glazed stoneware 15.5 x 8.5 x 2cm 2024
3. glazed stoneware 7 x 6.5 x 2cm 2024
4. glazed stoneware 5 x 5 x 1cm 2024
5. glazed stoneware 3.5 x 5.5 x 0.1cm 2024
6. glazed stoneware 4 x 9.2 x 6 cm 2024
7. glazed stoneware 17.5 x 8.5 x 2cm 2024
8. glazed stoneware 12 x 8 x 2cm 2024
9. glazed stoneware 3.5 x 7 x 5.5cm 2024
Samira El Chami (b.2003) is a Lebanese Australian ceramic artist residing on Darug land/ Western Sydney and working on Gadigal Land. Her work combines the classical elegance of Arabic calligraphy with her contemporary and satirical nature through sculptural clay pieces. Her process is one of investigation with the assistance of automation, creating an intimate and genuine semblance. Carving Arabic into the clay allows the glaze to pool into the inscription, producing a deep and organic acknowledgement of the rich cultural history and profound meaning the Arabic language has that usually gets lost in translation.
Artist profile
Instagram | @samiratron
Website | samiraelchami.com
1. “1/2”
2. “2/2”
3. “Shard”
4. “ط"
5. ”yaa/ي"
6. “Siin/س"
7. “Ana ma bidi itjawiz/ I don’t want to get married”
8. “The beautiful”
9. “Fruits”
2. “2/2”
3. “Shard”
4. “ط"
5. ”yaa/ي"
6. “Siin/س"
7. “Ana ma bidi itjawiz/ I don’t want to get married”
8. “The beautiful”
9. “Fruits”
