ANUT founder Goya Gallagher at her home.

Bringing Egypt’s Artistry Home

Anūt Cairo's Journey of Craft and Community with Founder, Goya Gallagher

Interview and Images c/o ANUT

You have roots in Ecuador but have chosen to make Egypt your home. What motivated you to settle in Egypt?

There’s an Egyptian saying that says “if you drink from the Nile, you are bound to return.” I must have drank bucket loads because when I first came to Egypt fresh out of college at 22, on holiday, I simply never left. I grew up in between Chile and Ecuador to an Ecuadorean mom and British Chilean dad and felt like I didn’t properly belong to any one country. When I first came to Egypt, I felt that I had arrived home. It felt strangely familiar and yet it felt like a great adventure. I eventually, started a business, then got married, and had two incredible Egyptian daughters!

Can you tell us about your journey to supporting Egyptian craftsmanship? What initially drew you to it?

I’m in awe of the notion that crafts have been passed on through acts of generosity and resilience from one artisan to the next over thousands of years. Over the years, crafts evolve to reflect changing times but ultimately retain the essence of its origin. I love the idea that a hand made object is telling the story of past generations while being a vessel for the maker, so that each object is unique. And an intrinsic part of that uniqueness are its imperfections, I believe it’s what makes an object beautiful. In a world that sometimes seems to be in a race to be more efficient, the act of individually making one object seems heroic. Egypt, as one of the oldest civilizations in the world is privy to incredible crafts. We make tapestries and cushions from handwoven fabric, for example, made in Akhmim which is a textile centre since Ancient Egyptian times. It fills me with wonder that these traditions have managed to stay alive and it is a great privilege to work with such talented artisans and to be able to bring attention to Egyptian crafts.

What is it about Fayoum pottery that stands out to you? What makes it so special and unique?

The town of Tunis in the oasis of Fayoum is unique in that it is a tight knit community of incredibly talented potters who are artists, makers and entrepreneurs simultaneously. The tradition of pottery making in Fayoum is the legacy of Evelyne Porret, a Swiss woman who came to Egypt in the 80s and started a pottery school in Tunis for local children ultimately transforming the village into a renowned centre for ceramics.

Evelyne's efforts helped Tunis village become a vibrant artisan community, with many local families now involved in the craft. At Anūt we work with over 20 artisans and we are privileged to be part of this community. What stands out the most, from working with Fayoum potters for several years, is their sense of camaraderie. I find that they are constantly helping each other out. If one artisan finds a way to have less breakage, for example, they will be happy to share. I feel that, that sense of generosity, friendship and joy are very much part of the DNA of the pottery itself.

How does the environment around Fayoum influence the colors and textures of the pottery?

The artisans of Fayoum are traditionally inspired by their stunning surroundings. Tunis sits in an Oasis on the shores of a lake. In August it is filled with sunflower fields, September is the time to harvest dates, the lake provides fishing and beyond the fields lies the softest and most magnificent sand dunes, providing plenty of inspiration. At Anūt, we have also shared historical context and shared inspiration of designs from Ancient Egypt to Coptic and Mamluk eras with amazing results.

Anūt Cairo is more than just a business; it’s a social enterprise. Can you explain how your model supports artisans and helps them 'leave their mark' on the pieces they create?

At Anūt we endeavour to support artisans in various ways. On the one hand we hope to engage creatively with artisans to create something unique to Anūt while encouraging artisans to pursue their own designs and help them understand the global consumer. We assist with troubleshooting by finding and providing experts, we provide loans to invest in growth, we have an in house embroidery training centre where women can learn to embroider and then work from home so that they are able to make an income while staying at home taking care of children. We recently brought a graduate of the Royal School of Needlework in the UK to Cairo for a 3 week course for our embroidery teachers with the idea of achieving excellence that they in turn can teach.

Introducing people to the artistry of Fayoum pottery is a gift in itself. What has been the most rewarding part of sharing these creations with a wider audience?

The most gratifying aspect is to see the artisans we work with grow as Fayoum pottery becomes more renowned. Mohamed Mahmoud for example, has invested in a second oven and made refurbishments to his home and studio. Randa, one of the women potters we work with, is building a new studio while starting a family.

Is there a particular story or memory from your time working with local artisans that resonates deeply with you?

There are so many! One story is that of Sara who recently started working with us. Sara is only 20 but she has been working in the workshop that she herself set up for over a year now. Her family couldn’t afford for her to finish her schooling, but her mother was a friend of Ibrahim’s who ran the pottery school at the time, so she managed to start attending classes there. She spent her time there learning everything there was to learn until she felt ready to do it herself. That's when she set up her own workshop.

Now, as a result of her workshop and the money she has made, she is finally able to rejoin the local high school and carry on with her education. She works part-time on the pottery and is incredibly talented. According to Sara, pottery started out just as a hobby, something to pass the time and now it’s the one thing that makes her feel at ease.

How do you see Anūt Cairo's pieces fitting into holiday traditions and celebrations?

I believe Anūt objects are perfect for the holiday season because they are full of joy and charm as well as the warmth that comes with an object, that is hand made with care by a master artisan. From our magnificent candelabra made by Mohamed Mahmoud to our beautifully hand embroidered Mr & Mrs Luna tablecloth, these are festive items to help celebrate the holidays. Then there are the smaller objects, like the Dunes bowl, that could be that perfect, thoughtful gift.

What do you hope people feel or understand when they bring an Anūt piece into their home this holiday season?

That these pieces are timeless, that they have been made with care by uniquely talented artisans that have managed to keep traditions alive through perseverance and the generous act of teaching. Ultimately we hope an object from Anūt brings the ancient history of Egypt and the warmth of its land and people to your home.