Last week we had the pleasure to host our Culford Social event with Zahed Tajeddin, one of our long-term resident member here at Culford Studios!
Zahed is a Syrian artist, archeologist, conservator and researcher. He studied chemistry, fine arts, ceramics, archeology and has a PhD in Egyptian Faience from Westminster University. He has a special interest in history and ancient art, and his sculpture is influenced by ancient artefacts, archaeology and mythology. He has worked on many archaeological digs in the Middle East. With his scientific background and an incredible understanding of ancient materials, Zahed then works intuitively with clay, creating sculptural ceramic figures which he finishes with textures, and naturalistic patinas. Some have weathered surfaces, which he creates with oxides and the artful use of glazes. His art tells us a story about ancient and modern tales, weaving history, technology, archaeology and mythology all together.
Zahed talked us through his long professional career, starting with his Syrian origins and his body of work as a sculptor, establishing a recurring theme in his career: mythology. While giving a story to the piece, the mythological narrative is also subversive and makes us reflect on both the past and present time.
Zahed then delved into his research on Egyptian faience. During his PhD at Westminster, Zahed not only re-discovered the science and technology behind this beautiful turquoise material, but he also re-discovered how to use it to make and sculpt new artefacts. While studying this material, Zahed created a whole body of work known as the 'Nu' Shabtis, exhibited at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology at the end of his thesis in 2014. The ‘U’ Shabtis in ancient Egypt are the small, mostly turquoise figurines that guarded the dead and served them in the afterlife. Zahed created instead the ‘Nu’ Shabtis, who have awoken in the 21st century and found there is no afterlife, no god of the underworld, and no labours to perform. They are ‘liberated’ and walk among us finding new things to do with their lives. He describes it, “Some follow our lifestyle and become happy with our activities, our shopping and consumption patterns, and all our gadgets and tools. Other Nu‐Shabtis remain restless and continue searching for freedom and liberty. Some find themselves becoming demonstrators and freedom fighters and joining us in mankind’s eternal quest for freedom. In these varying responses to our modern existence they reflect us all, and also the complications and contradictions of the world in which we currently operate”. Today you can find six of these ‘Nu’ Shabtis at the Victoria & Albert museum, in the Ceramics and Islamic Middle East Galleries.
Zahed finished his talk telling us about his recent exhibitions as well as his impressive large-scale private commissions created here at Culford Studios using our large kiln.
We all felt very grateful to listen to Zahed, and inspired by his unique career path and point of view. So much knowledge, skills and wisdom! The evening continued with many questions and positive feedbacks from the members community. We felt like we've only scratched the surface and can dig a little more into Zahed's approach to ceramics
(archeological pun intended). To be continued...
Thank you again Zahed, what a pleasure!
Learn more about Zahed's work on his website: www.zahedtajeddin.com
And follow him on instagram: www.instagram.com/zahedtajeddin
Comments