Crafting Stories from Earth and Fire..
Douha Koudsi, a celebrated Syrian ceramic artist, has spent her life transforming earth with fire into vivid worlds of color and texture. Her work tells timeless stories from Assyrian mythology, exploring themes of love, fertility, and life. Koudsi’s creations are not just art; they are narratives that connect us to the ancient world and its enduring mysteries.
Koudsi's fascination with art began at an early age in Aleppo, Syria, where she was born in 1944. This early passion led her to study Interior Design at the Fine Art College of Damascus University, where she graduated in 1969. Her education laid the foundation for her unique approach to ceramics, blending design principles with an innate understanding of materiality.
Koudsi’s journey took her to the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris, where she furthered her studies in the late 1970s. Her research focused on traditional Syrian houses, examining their painted wood and reception halls. This deep dive into historical architecture enriched her artistic vocabulary, allowing her to infuse her ceramic works with cultural and historical significance.
"I try.. and try.. I paint the stone, i glaze it, i bake it, and try..
The stone shines with yellow, red, and white,
The black blends in the formation and my soul shines,
My soul blossoms with that stone..
I think.. i wonder..Is my femininity merging with femininity of nature!?"
Douha Koudsi
Recognition and Participation
Her solo exhibitions, such as the 1997 mural art show at the Damascus Gallery for Art, the 1998 "Dream, Stone, Clay" exhibition at the Syrian Arabic Culture Center in Paris, and the 2003 exhibition at Alsayed Gallery for Art, have captivated audiences with their storytelling. Each piece is a testament to her ability to breathe life into clay, turning it into a medium for narrative and expression.
Koudsi’s talent has been recognized locally and internationally. In 1998, she participated in the Mediterranean Sea Ceramic Workshop in Hammamet, Tunisia, in 1999, she joined “Four Artists, Four Experiences” exhibition at the Al-Atassi Gallery in Damascus, and showcased her work at the Cairo Biennial for Ceramics in 1999. Her participation in these events, along with exhibitions like "Arabic Phantoms" at UNESCO in Beirut in 2001 and the seventh Gathering of Creative Arabian Women at the International Sousse Festival in Tunisia in 2002, as well as many other group exhibitions, highlight her status as a prominent figure in the world of art.
Legacy and Collections
Her artworks are not just confined to galleries; they are treasured by institutions and private collectors alike. The Ministry of Culture of Syria and the National Museum of Damascus hold some of her work, as do private collections across Syria, Dubai, France, the USA, Germany, Tunisia, and Lebanon. Each piece tells a story, preserving fragments of human history and emotion.
Douha Koudsi's artistic journey is a testament to the enduring power of art to connect us to our past, enrich our present, and inspire our future. Through her creations, Koudsi continues to touch the hearts and minds of art lovers around the world, inviting them to explore the deep, universal stories embedded in clay.
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