Saudis all fired up for reviving forgotten art of pottery

Specific types of clay are used for different products based on the items’ composition, color, uses, firing temperatures and other factors. (Social media)
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Updated 06 April 2021
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Saudis all fired up for reviving forgotten art of pottery

  • Local artists making efforts to put the craft back on the cultural map of Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH: Nostalgic Saudis are getting all fired up in helping to revive the ancient art of pottery.

The age-old skill has been making something of a recent comeback in the Kingdom with young and old throughout the country trying their hand at the traditional craft.
Over the centuries clay-based pottery items such as cups, pans, bowls, and urns have been reproduced using more modern, durable materials.
But that has not stopped some Saudis, such as Ohoud Al-Adani, from returning to the old ways.
As a child, she dabbled with pottery by experimenting with Play-Doh, but five years ago decided to buy herself a potter’s wheel to start producing home-made products.
By watching YouTube videos and learning from her mistakes Al-Adani soon found her friends taking an interest in her new hobby, with some joining in.

Pottery has an element of suspense and the interaction with a natural substance is therapeutic.

Muruj Al-Shatri

As her fascination with the artform grew, she signed up for a volunteer trip to California, ending up spending four months working with a farmer who was managing a community pottery studio.
Specific types of clay are used for different products based on the items’ composition, color, uses, firing temperatures and other factors with the four most common clays being earthenware, ball, porcelain, and stoneware.
Nora Al-Mazrooa, a ceramic artist and lecturer at Jeddah University’s college of art and design, was introduced to pottery in Islamic educational art while studying for her bachelor’s degree.
She told Arab News: “I felt an instant connection the minute I touched clay. After that, I volunteered as a teaching assistant in ceramics during summers to feed my passion and eagerness to learn and practice with clay.”
Al-Mazrooa went on to gain a master’s degree in ceramics from the Cardiff School of Art and Design, in Wales.
When she first started working with clay in Jeddah, the discipline was little known, she said. “Recently, interest has grown exponentially, both locally and regionally,” she added.




Its most prominent aspect for me is the way one can manipulate it to become absolutely anything.
(Nora Al-Mazrooa)

Muruj Al-Shatri, a graphic artist and potter, said: “Pottery has an element of suspense and the interaction with a natural substance is therapeutic.”
Many therapists and mental health practitioners recommend various forms of art to patients as a means of expression and to help deal with emotional issues. Pottery therapy incorporates tactile sensation, meditative practice, and physical movement, all of which can bring about a state of calm.

I have a problem with plastic products, so my goal is to recreate everything I have in plastic and make them out of clay.

Ohoud Al-Adani

“Ceramics is clay, air, and fire. Its most prominent aspect for me is the way one can manipulate it to become absolutely anything. It is a vehicle to share ideas and express one’s creativity. Clay is a medium to internalize one’s thoughts. I find the pottery process invigorating and the results quite rewarding,” said Al-Mazrooa.
And Al-Adani said: “Playing with clay is very grounding, especially with people who did not grow up playing in the dirt and for us to be able to work and play with it and for it to be acceptable is something huge for me.”
The same sentiment was shared by Al-Mazrooa, who added: “Clay is a medium that requires our senses to be engaged all at once. It is a holistic experience and forces you to be patient in order to be able to go through the whole process from forming, to firing, glazing, and firing again.
“It helps release aggression and anxiety, and sometimes it feels that narratives and emotions get translated from one’s mind to the hands raw and pure. I often practice Islamic art, both geometric art and ancient Nabataean.”
She personalizes her pieces by incorporating Arabic texts, including poetry, verses, and proverbs. “I feel like this adds a layer of identity and meaning to a functional object.”
Meanwhile, Al-Adani creates products inspired by her daily life and personal needs, and aims to launch her own, clay-only product range.
“I have a problem with plastic products, so my goal is to recreate everything I have in plastic and make them out of clay,” she said.


Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

Updated 04 November 2024
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Health campaign promotes quality care in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH: The Ministry of Health has launched a campaign to promote health by enhancing access to and the quality and efficiency of health services and raising awareness of health risks, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

The campaign “A Vibrant, Healthy Nation” introduces a modern healthcare model, offering integrated, individual-centered services aligned with Vision 2030’s goal of fostering a healthy society.

The ministry is committed to “enhancing public health, improving quality of life, and raising the Kingdom’s global healthcare standing.”

The campaign highlights the health transformation initiative’s positive impacts and informs citizens about its main features, aiming to engage all segments of society, SPA reported.

It emphasizes a shift from treating illness to prevention, involving primary care doctors and early detection programs.


Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi environment ministry launches program to develop green tech

  • Scheme seeks new ways to repurpose wastewater, looks at impact of microplastics

RIYADH: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture has opened applications for a new program to find ways to develop sustainable technologies in Saudi Arabia.

The Sustainable Innovation Fellowship Program aims to find ways to repurpose by-products from water treatment for the benefit of the environment; develop sustainable technologies for recycling membranes used in water treatment; and explore methods to reuse treated wastewater in desert and arid regions.

Supported by the Environment Fund and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority, the fellowship program will also assess the environmental impact of microplastics in water treatment plants, sewage, and wastewater.

In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture is also introducing new e-services in accordance with international standards.


Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

Updated 04 November 2024
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Industry meets creativity at Athar festival in Riyadh

  • With workshops, discussions, and awards, the festival aims to drive growth in Saudi Arabia’s creative sectors

The second Athar Saudi Festival of Creativity will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 5 to 6.

Hosted by UAE-based Motivate Media Group and communications consultancy TRACCS, the festival will gather over 1,500 professionals and leaders from the creative marketing industry, featuring 100 regional and international speakers.

Ian Fairservice, managing partner and group editor in chief of Motivate Media Group, will chair the event, alongside Vice Chairman Mohammed Al-Ayed, CEO of TRACCS.

Pre-festival activities began on Nov. 3 with the Young Talent Academies, including the Student Creative Academy (in partnership with the Middle East Communications Network), the Student Marketers Academy, the NextGen Creative Academy, and the NextGen Marketers Academy.

These academies, featuring keynote sessions from industry experts, workshops, and a 24-hour hackathon, are open to full-time university students aged 18 to 25 and professionals under 30 in creative communications, marketing, or advertising.

The festival will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with panel discussions, presentations, and fireside chats focused on redefining and growing the creative landscape in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond, covering various sectors such as sports, entertainment, and tourism.

The event will conclude with the Athar Awards ceremony on the evening of Nov. 6.

Notable speakers include Sir Martin Sorrell, founder and executive chairman of S4 Capital PLC; Matt McKie, director of marketing for Manchester United; Waseem Kashan, executive director of marketing at ROSHN Group; Yahya Hamidaddin, vice president of corporate communications at ACWA Power; and Houda Tohme, CEO of Havas Media Middle East.

Sessions and keynotes will explore themes such as purpose-driven marketing, brand growth strategies, artificial intelligence, technology, cross-sector innovation, and unlocking creative potential.


Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Arabia and Iraq sign MoU on military cooperation

  • Two defense ministers reviewed longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Al-Abbasi signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday aimed at strengthening cooperation in the military field.

The agreement, signed during a high-level meeting in Riyadh, represents a significant step forward in defense collaboration between the Kingdom and Iraq, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During their discussions, the two ministers reviewed the longstanding relations between their countries, focusing on ways to enhance defense ties.

They emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to foster regional security and stability, particularly amid ongoing regional tensions.

Both ministers discussed recent developments and shared efforts aimed at de-escalating conflicts, prioritizing actions that support peace and security in the region.

The MoU establishes a framework for increased collaboration on military matters, allowing Saudi Arabia and Iraq to address shared security challenges more effectively and pursue mutual goals in defense, SPA added. 


Saudi Islamic affairs minister receives Chinese envoy

Updated 04 November 2024
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Saudi Islamic affairs minister receives Chinese envoy

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Dr. Abdullatif Al-Asheikh received Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom Chang Hua in Riyadh on Monday.

During the meeting, they exchanged cordial talks and discussed issues of common interest, particularly those related to Islamic work and promoting moderation and peaceful coexistence, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar received Ambassador of Iran to the Kingdom Alireza Enayati in Riyadh on Monday. They discussed bilateral relations and other topics of common interest.