Hi, I’m Tuan Yong!
I first began my studies in ceramics at night classes and potter’s studio workshops. The first 20 years was mainly learning about clay, building of friendship between people who have similar interest in clay, and sometimes exhibiting my clay works with my teachers and friends. This was satisfying as this provided me
a quiet and reflective outlet from my regular 9-5 work and family life.
A close friend once asked me what draws me to ceramics, besides being meditative. Clay, the medium in ceramics is versatile in that it can be used to form a humble and functional bowl for rice to creative sculptural forms. And I am drawn to this versatility.
Bowls
Six years ago, I left my architectural work and began to spend more time. Working on pottery and ceramic projects and exhibitions. The past 3 years I have also started teaching ceramics and art in a local polytechnic and community club. These last few years has proved to be an eye opener to me, working and living as a potter in Singapore.
Recently a few potter (or ceramic artist, as some prefer) friends and I decided to rekindle our interest in wood firing which we have done a few years ago but stopped due to various reasons. The first thing decided, was to have each one to start a blog (and be part of the digital era) and hopefully record and share our work and findings of the wood firing. We hope to carry out the firing at the end of this year in a traditional Chinese wood fired (dragon) kiln.
October 10, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I still remember the fateful day when I met you at Bedok Market while you were carrying a big tub of tea leaves from the coffee stall!!!!!! You told me you used them for wood firing and introduced me to Thow Kwang! It was May 2003 – the year I returned from Pratt!!!!!