Presenting Reem Sayem el Dahr-Hammad, a Syrian ceramic artist The Poetry in the Clay

Reem Sayem el Dahr-Hammad was born in Aleppo, Syria and grew up and studied in Beirut, Lebanon. She began her studies in Fine Arts at Beirut University College (currently called LAU) before she moved to Los Angeles in 1981 where she continued her education and graduated with a B.F.A degree majoring in Design from UCLA. Reem was pursuing a career in Graphic Design when she realized a need to take on a new direction in Ceramics, an art form she had come to appreciate during her early studies. Reem began her new path of artistic expression manifesting her passion for design in various ceramic styles. She draws inspiration from her middle-eastern background, Islamic Art and her diverse life experiences as an Arab-American woman.

Reem is currently President of IMAN: International Muslim Women Artists Network based in Los Angeles. She also serves as Exhibition Director for ‘Beyond Borders’ Art Exhibition, a House of Lebanon annually sponsored Art Event.

'A Blessed Hammam' by Reem Hammad / Wheel Thrown bowl, Wax resist, high fire Glazes / Courtesy of the Artist

'Shahada' (La Ilaha Illa Allah, Muhammad Rasoul Allah - There is no God but God and Mohamed is His Prophet) by Reem Hammad / Wheel Thrown bowl, Oxide calligraphic design, High Fire glazes, 18kt Gold luster accents / Courtesy of the Artist

'Birth of A Star' by Reem Hammad / Wheel throw plate, Hand carved designs, Low Fire Glazes / Courtesy of the Artist

"This plate is part of a series of wheel thrown decorative plates. This design is a variation of the eight-pointed star element I have used in my previous work. The Eight-pointed star is an old design module used extensively in ‘Islamic Art’ and usually sits at the center of door panel designs, walls, tile or textile design. It is part of a web of interlaced and repeated geometric designs that begin and end with a star creating an endless lace pattern. In my design, I let the star design dictate the rest of the carving. Here, the carved star repeats itself expanding into ripples from the center on out, bringing forth a ray like design onto the outer rim of the plate as if being born." (Reem Hammad)

'Divine Symmetry I' By Reem Hammad / Wheel thrown plate, Stoneware Clay, Hand Painted design with Oxides & Glazes / Courtesy of the Artist

"This plate is part of a series of wheel thrown decorative plates. The Eight-pointed star is an old design module used extensively in ‘Islamic Art’ and is usually present at the center of door panel designs, carvings, tiles or textile design. It is part of a web of interlaced and repeated geometric designs that begin and end with a star creating an endless pattern. I use this star design as a meditation point to focus my attention on the heart of all things and to remember the vastness and splendor of creation, the infinite and the Divine." (Reem Hammad)

'Allah Ul Nour' by Reem Hammad / Wheel thrown plate, Wax resist, High Fire Glaze / Courtesy of the Artist