BOISBUCHET RESIDENCY PROGRAMME
NOUR MAHMOUD AND RONI KERBAGE
SEASON 2022
Nour Mahmoud has always had a hidden passion for handmade creations, even though his studies in industrial engineering were far from the handmade art scene. He started creating his own art pieces a few years ago using Plexiglas, wood and natural resources. He now creates luxurious, durable, original and handmade art pieces from scratch, using epoxy resin and natural wood found in the Chouf region of Lebanon.
Roni Kerbage has always had the ambition to create an independent project, putting his energy into a place he deeply believes in. His attachment to cultural heritage led him to renovate his grandfather’s old carpenter’s workshop in order to preserve it and bring it back to life. This is where their new workshop is located. At the same time, his training as a chemical, process, environmental and management engineer facilitates the production and communication process and the environmental sustainability of the project.
Today, more than ever, the artistic scene in Lebanon is under threat. Local production has been disadvantaged for a long time and the obstacles are numerous. The project from Nour and Roni sought to produce, renovate and create artistic pieces from epoxy resin mixed with local natural wood.
Cedroxy was born from the combination of natural wood, epoxy resin and two engineers, turning imagination into reality, resulting in luxurious, handmade art pieces.
On a personal level, Nour and Roni are convinced that a change will be led in the near future. As young graduates, they will bear witness to the fact that an original art project can lead to surprising results. This will give us them opportunity to stay in their country, especially in the Chouf region, near their relatives and their hometown.
“Our goal is to be the pioneers in the production, manufacturing and environmental specifics of resin. Our project started as a dream that is now becoming reality. Cedroxy will reflect, in each unique piece, the beauty of Lebanon by using different species of trees that grow in this region.”
Nour and Roni seek to promote local artistic production by setting an example, while involving the local community by creating job opportunities. These will be mainly for people with a passion for artistic craftsmanship (sculpture, carpentry, cartography, drawing, etc.) but also in different fields such as marketing, architecture, design and branding.
“We give special thanks for the Institut Français (Nafas Program) and Domaine de Boisbuchet that made this experience possible. We look forward to similar experiences.”