Art and celebrities

The art of ceramics and pottery in Al-Jouf…the authenticity of the craft and the embodiment of the ancient heritage


Handcrafts that are made from clay, and still maintain their presence in several regions of the Kingdom, including the Al-Jawf region, where they are receiving continuous development as part of the growing interest in highlighting handicrafts and their sustainability through "Year of Handicrafts 2025".

Attempts to Early pottery making by the son of the Al-Jawf region, craftsman Muayyad Al-Arjan, in childhood while receiving art education and science lessons at school, 18 years ago; Today, Al-Arjan regained his passion for the craft at the age of twenty-eight, when he began forming clay figures depicting castles and heritage houses. He then delved into studying pottery and porcelain making, developing his skill by researching and learning about the history of the craft in the region, which was known to have ancient pottery kilns dating back thousands of years, which indicates the depth of the craftsmanship heritage in Al-Jawf. Several stages begin with preparing the soil and kneading the clay to remove the air from it to avoid breaking pieces during burning, then forming them in several ways, including hand shaping, ropes, or slices, which is the method he adopts in most of his work, with the addition of the final touches by glazing and painting with metal oxides, using a number of tools currently available in stores.

He stressed that his interest in pottery and ceramics came from his desire to revive the local heritage and highlight the craft in an artistic manner that reflects the identity of the region, its ancient history, and his passion. He has been persistent in this craft since childhood.

His works are distinguished by the manufacture of antiques and models that embody prominent national landmarks, most notably the Caliph Omar bin Al-Khattab Mosque, Marid Castle, Diriyah, and Al-Masmak Palace, in addition to a number of castles spread throughout the regions of the Kingdom.

The interest in the ceramics and pottery industry comes within initiatives "Year of Handicrafts 2025"which is concerned with reviving traditional crafts and enhancing their cultural and economic status, as part of the identity of Saudi society and its legacy rooted throughout history.

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