Dorothy Salhab Kazemi

1942-1990, Roumieh

Dorothy Salhab Kazemi studied art at the Lebanese American University and English literature at the American University of Beirut. She became the first modern pottery teacher in Lebanon and dedicated a decade to teaching at the Lebanese American University. Dorothy's exceptional skill as a potter elevated the craft to an art form.

As a pioneer of modern ceramics in Lebanon, she introduced stoneware and porcelain, revolutionizing the traditional clay baking process. Influenced by anthropologist Edward Leach, she used a manual wheel to create objects with their own distinct identities. Dorothy also shared her expertise as a ceramics expert at the French-Syrian archaeological excavation site of Mayadin in Syria.

Her art was exhibited individually in Glasgow, Beirut, Copenhagen, Damascus, and France, showcasing her talent to a global audience. Dorothy also participated in group exhibitions in Copenhagen and Iraq, further contributing to the appreciation of her artistic prowess.

About her Work

Dorothy Salhab Kazemi’s functional pieces, such as bowls, pots, and jugs, are characterized by refined and delicate forms, varying in size. Her sculptures, seemingly abstract yet infused with eroticism, demonstrate a profound understanding of the enduring connection between nature and the human body. The soft and weathered textures of her works evoke a primordial era when nature and humanity were intertwined.

Dorothy described the gratifying experience of working with clay on the wheel, likening her body to an extension of the living material. She moved in harmony with the wheel's rhythm and circular symmetry, guided by her hands to shape the clay into vibrant life. This process evoked a deep, visceral sensation within her.

Dorothy Salhab Kazemi

Split Bean, ca. 1974

Ceramic, 8 x 20 x 17 cm

Nammour Collection