Information About
This is a photograph of six unglazed bowls made by Iskandar Jalil who has frequently expounded on the deceptive simplicity of the cawan (bowl), which he has described as "the most challenging of forms", for the way it reveals the strength (or weakness) of a master-potter. This cluster of cawan finely illustrates the Japanese concept of shibui (an unassuming but profound beauty) which Iskandar credits as significantly influential in his work. Physical dimensions of original: Approx: 145 x 240 mm. Medium: Mixed clay, various glazes on interior (fired at 1300 degrees Celsius). Title devised by Library staff.
Additional Details
- Credit Line
- This digital copy (c) National Library Board Singapore 2009. The original work (c) Iskandar Jalil, 2006.
More to Explore
Spherical teapot & twig : pottery
IMAGE
This is a photograph of a tea pot made by Iskandar Jalil. It has the distinctive kendi-inspired spout and bears the trademark ‘Iskandar Blue’. The colour was inspired by Iskandar’s trip to Scandinavia where the visual and sensory resonance of the open sky is conveyed through a single colour. The...
Trengganu : sculpture
IMAGE
This photograph shows a piece of sculpture resembling a boat which pays tribute to the famous boat-making history of Trengganu and the unmistakable design of the bangau which are elaborately carved wooden boats. Trengganu is a body of work that is more sculptural than functional unlike bowls or plates. It...
Iskandar Jalil : headshot
IMAGE
This is a headshot photograph of Iskandar Jalil (b. 1940, Singapore -). He is a highly-regarded local ceramist who uses fine clay to develop bowls and pots into art works, integrating Japanese and Islamic styles. He was awarded two Colombo Plan scholarships, to study textiles in India (1962) and ceramic...
Mitravam (Friendship) : tile mural
IMAGE
This is a photograph of a tile mural entitled "Mitravam" (Sanskrit for "friendship"). For this piece Iskandar Jalil used the symbol and metaphor of the lock and key to suggest that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) through its diplomatic work has unlocked many doors for Singapore. He researched and...
The last tango on the sea : no. 1
IMAGE
Even as she contemplates the beauty of nature in her works, Chng is also an artist with a conscience, often reflecting on the issues of the day, decrying the destructive actions of man. Chng was moved to create this work after reading about the plight and tragedy of the “boat...
Aqueous waves
IMAGE
An acrylic painting on canvas, Aqueous Waves represents the transition in Poon’s work from a visual vocabulary made up of purely geometric forms to one of curved lines – subsequently referred to as “waves”. The emphasis on both chromatic harmony and the savant distribution of shapes and forms is distinctive...
Pot sculpture
IMAGE
Pot-Sculpture is an example of Ng’s constant capacity for humour in his work. Apart from its whimsicality, it reflects Ng’s fusion of the functional with beauty, as well as his training in ceramics and studio pottery. This work (stoneware, partly chun glazed)is part of the National University of Singapore Museum...
The Riverwalk : general view
IMAGE
This photograph shows a woman walking along the Singapore River. Across the river is The Riverwalk, formerly known as Riverwalk Galleria. Physical dimensions of original: 35 mm. Title devised by Library staff....
Performance
IMAGE
Performance is one of Poon’s earlier attempts at the integration of planes in a three-dimensional space. It is representative of the other type of structure which makes up the linguistic rationale of Poon’s three-dimensional work – apart from the sculptures which resemble the movement of ribbons caught in time and...
