Woman Braiding her Hair

Abb Marzouk

c. 1933

Warrnambool, Victoria

Stoneware Clay

Born and raised in Egypt, Abb Marzouk immigrated to Australia in 1962 after completing a Degree in Fine Arts, majoring in sculpture, at the Faculty of Fine Art in Egypt. His formal training involved six days of study each week for five years, establishing a strong foundation for his lifelong passion for sculpture.

While sculpture remains his greatest passion, Marzouk is also highly skilled in painting, rug making, copper work, glass tessera mosaics, weaving and macramé. His sculptural works are created from stoneware clay, prepared according to his own recipe, and shaped using tools he has made by hand.

Each sculpture begins with extensive drawing and observation as Marzouk carefully captures authentic movement, expression and texture. He then cuts, hollows and reassembles the clay by hand before allowing the work to dry slowly over approximately five months. The finished sculpture is glazed and treated with oxides before being fired twice, resulting in works rich in detail and character.

'I don't make it to sell it. They are just my compositions. Most artists hate doing hands and feet but I love doing them, and every scale, hair, line and lash is carefully etched or added to my creation.'