‘I Take Inspiration From Raindrops and Waves,’ Says Egyptian Glassblower
For Cairo craftsman Sayed Waked, glassmaking is an expression of Egyptian history as well as personal experience
As fears of a regional war in the Middle East grow, artists in the region continue their work. Sayed Waked, a glassmaker and artist from Egypt, recently expanded his exhibitions in Italy and Turkey, featuring work from his small gallery and factory in the heart of Cairo.
Waked entered glassmaking after graduating from the University of Cairo’s Faculty of Arts. He then found a job as a designer in a factory that manufactured handmade glass tools.
This task required me to know how to shape the glass, and I truly loved it. Sometimes, I would take the leftover glass and try to shape it in the way I wanted, so from there, it all practically started. Since I studied fine arts, I tried to combine the two things at first. I got to meet other local craftsmen in the glass field, who inspired me to build my own artistic path.
“This task required me to know how to shape the glass, and I truly loved it,” Waked told The Media Line. “Sometimes, I would take the leftover glass and try to shape it in the way I wanted, so from there, it all practically started. Since I studied fine arts, I tried to combine the two things at first. I got to meet other local craftsmen in the glass field, who inspired me to build my own artistic path.”
Glasswork by Egyptian artist Sayed Waked. (Courtesy)
For Waked, working in Egypt has provided many opportunities in the field.
Almost everything that I needed to learn about glass manufacturing was available for me there. I have my own factory and local assistants that are helping me a lot. They mostly help me with commercial work. In general, I am truly grateful to work and represent my country.
“Almost everything that I needed to learn about glass manufacturing was available for me there,” he said. “I have my own factory and local assistants that are helping me a lot. They mostly help me with commercial work. In general, I am truly grateful to work and represent my country.”
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Waked designs his pieces by mixing his own roots with the general human experience.
The art of glass has been rooted in the history of ancient Egypt throughout the Pharaonic period, then the Coptic and the Islamic one. I am pursuing a long-rooted heritage by mastering this still today, and I am very proud.
“The art of glass has been rooted in the history of ancient Egypt throughout the Pharaonic period, then the Coptic and the Islamic one,” he explained. “I am pursuing a long-rooted heritage by mastering this still today, and I am very proud.”
Glasswork by Egyptian artist Sayed Waked. (Courtesy)
He has held seven solo exhibitions, 42 group exhibitions, and seven international events in Italy, Bulgaria, and Turkey. His works, which vary between pure abstraction and figurative representation, recently arrived at Venice Glass Week 2024.
Venice Glass Week was held in Murano, Venice, from September 14 through 22. It showcased glass craftsmanship and stressed the connection between historical techniques and contemporary innovation.
Glasswork by Egyptian artist Sayed Waked. (Courtesy)
This year’s glass week involved 260 events, including exhibitions, guided tours in Murano’s glass factories, demonstrations, and conferences. Around 230 participants from 45 countries attended the event, which was themed “A World of Glass.”
Waked presented his collection of transparent and colored glass cubes of different sizes. His piece was inspired by children’s toys, representing life as a game and inviting the audience not to take life too seriously.
I take inspiration from raindrops and waves. All that generally resembles reflections and transparency is that glass has many properties of water as well. In general, my pieces mirror the human experience and the relationship between objects and humans in general.
“I take inspiration from raindrops and waves,” Waked said. “All that generally resembles reflections and transparency is that glass has many properties of water as well. In general, my pieces mirror the human experience and the relationship between objects and humans in general.”
Glasswork by Egyptian artist Sayed Waked. (Courtesy)
As an artist from Egypt, it has been important for me to see other ways of thinking and producing art from the same tools.
Attending international events like this one is important for Waked. “As an artist from Egypt, it has been important for me to see other ways of thinking and producing art from the same tools,” he said.
He expressed hope that the chaotic situation in the Middle East would come to an end.
It is difficult, but we will overcome all of this. My general message as an artist is to search within ourselves and focus on everything we love.
“It is difficult, but we will overcome all of this,” he said. “My general message as an artist is to search within ourselves and focus on everything we love.”
Glasswork by Egyptian artist Sayed Waked. (Courtesy)
