Summary Drafted by May Haddad

1. Summary of Art Biography of Dr May Abboud
Born in Haifa, Palestine, May Abboud holds a PhD in Mathematics and a
Master's in Computer Science and had a career in University teaching both in
the US and in Lebanon. She was initiated into Ceramics at the George
Washington University, and subsequently attended many workshops in
various aspects of the field and spent a number of summers as Artist in
Residence, namely in Vallauris, France, the International Ceramics Studio in
Hungary, and Watershed in Maine, USA. Now retired, she is devoting much
of her time to Ceramics and lately Watercolor.
May Abboud has been working in Ceramics for over 20 years, and has
exhibited her works in the US, England, France, and Hungary.
In Lebanon, May has had several solo exhibitions joined in several collective
art exhibitions. She has been a frequent participant in The Salon D'Automne
of Sursock Museum and was awarded the "Prix du Musee Sursock" in 2009
for a work entitled the July war and in 2012 she received the "Mention
Speciale du Jury”.
With her initiative, a Raku kiln was built at the Modern & Contemporary Art
Museum MACAM, where numerous workshops have been held. She also
mobilized Women Ceramics Collective, and together organized Ceramic
Days at the Galerie of Ras Beirut Cultural Center (December and April,
2019).
May’s works are within the permanent collection of the International
Ceramics Studio (Hungary), Sursock Museum, and MACAM (Lebanon) .
She maintains her studio in Beirut.
Drafted by May Haddad

2. Arts Statement
My work in ceramics took many forms and was inspired by current events,
the ceramics heritage and nature. I also used many symbols such as the boat
symbolizing a journey, taking refuge or fleeing necessitated by unfortunate
events. “The July War” (which won the Sursock Museum in the Salon
D’Automne in 2009 is a good example of that). I have also used the pyramid
in a number of works and one exhibited at Sursock Museum entitled “the
People Demand” (This work won Special Mention at the Salon
D’Automne).
I am very interested in the surface of the clay inspired by the rock formations
in Lebanon and have used textures and colored engobes for the treatment of
the surface of the clay. I am also inspired by the rich heritage of ceramics
being one of the earliest art forms.
My ceramics include bodices of dresses inspired by Palestinian traditional
embroidery, platters, vases, pyramids as well as towers inspired by ancient
towers (Babel). Some of the pieces are done in Raku (a firing coming from
Japan, where the second firing is done in the open air and at maturing
temperature the kiln is opened and the pieces are placed in sawdust). My
favorite is the Naked Raku process where after being placed in sawdust and
bin closed when opened and the pieces are removed and sprayed with water
the glaze pops off and hence the term Naked Raku. Last this includes some of
the aquarelles done in this past year.
In the last 10 years I also took several courses in painting using oil as well as
acrylic. This past year I started studying watercolor and enjoyed the
transparencies and the mingling of colors and the immediacy of the medium.
I look forward to continuing doing that.
Drafted by May Haddad

3. Ceramics at hUNNAArt Exhibition (March-May 2022)
Housing is a women issue (2)
Size: 38x18x17 cm; 16x14x19cm
Medium: Stoneware and engobes
Fired in oxidation to cone 6 at 1200 degrees
Inspired by traditional Lebanese houses
Porcelain Woman (3)
Size: 25x14x9 cm
Feminine sculpture in porcelain
Functional use as a vessel, or vase or light holder
Women’ Solidarity (2)
Sizes: 24x15x15 cm; 17x17x17 cm
Medium: Terracotta and Smoke Firing
May Abboud
Female Figurine (1)
Size: 43x25x12 cm
Medium: Terracotta and Smoke Firing
May Abboud
Vases: Sea /Firefly/ Forest
Size: 31x15x12 cm, 31x21x10 cm, 29X18x15 cm
Medium: Stoneware clay, decorated with engobes
Last firing with clear glaze
Inspired by nature
Drafted by May Haddad