Turabi

   In almost every culture, there is a long history of ceramic art, and ceramic objects are sometimes the only evidence left from vanished cultures. The ability of fired clay to withstand time makes it a material capable of preserving history, culture and tradition, which is also the case in Palestine. Inas Halabi, who is a Palestinian artist (and now part-time ceramicist) and the founder of Turabi says “When I started Turabi, I was thinking of the ability of my ceramics to tell stories from Palestine. This is especially important in a place like Palestine, where our history is constantly threatened to be erased. It is important for me to make my pieces in the heart of Jerusalem. I see this as a form of political resistance, amidst the influx of cheaply produced or imported goods, and the decline of the Palestinian economy as a result of the occupation.”

   Besides the fact that she loves ceramics, what motivated Inas to start Turabi in 2016 was her wanting to provide her community with a local product that carries the history of this place, while ensuring the that pieces she makes are environmentally friendly, durable and safe to use (using entirely lead-free glazing which is not always a guarantee in commercial ceramics’ production). She also wanted to produce designs that are catered towards local customers rather than just tourists, as is generally the case with the ceramic industry in Palestine. Minimalist, functional and simply beautiful, Inas’s work is inspired by traditional pottery technique as all her ceramics are made by hand without the use of any machinery (except the furnace, of course!). In order to minimise her impact on the world, she reuses materials whenever she can and recycles all her unfired clay to create new pieces. Her beautiful work further integrates another handicraft beloved to her, that is Palestinian embroidery (Tatreez), producing exquisite pieces which are hand-carved into the clay through a very labour intensive and delicate process. Turabi’s collection includes a range of mugs, plates and serving bowls in various sizes. The collection also includes unique ceramic jewellery.

   Inas currently produces all her ceramics in their different designs at her home studio in Jerusalem. With the support of her family and close friends, she is able to ship order both locally and internationally from Jerusalem and Amsterdam. Delivery across Palestine is free of charge. Currently, Inas takes both small and large orders, including unique orders for wedding occasions and other events. You can also contact Turabi directly via email to request an updated catalogue and place an order. Make sure to follow Turabi’s social media accounts to find out more about available products.

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Products Selling Points: Living Cultures in Ramallah, Art Shop at Yabous Cultural Centre in Jerusalem, el-Bustan online store UK.