Chuan Siang Boon
Tanglin Road, Singapore.
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Mr. Boon.
I Stroll into Boon s Pottery at 91, Tanglin road , singapore and am greeted with a very genuine smile by the lovely Poh Hua , she sets up for me to meet Mr boon the following week, and I am grateful.
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| The Retail store with the studio neatly tucked away in the basement. |
Come monday and it was difficult to contain my excitement . I had to remind myself to walk slow as the store got closer, for I was promised a peek into his studio.
“Pottery is a bit of chemistry and a bit of geography” he says as soon as we meet, looking around at his work .. “A bit of magic” I want to add but I listen instead, for he looks wise and his eyes shine with wisdom. “water and fire makes pottery” and I instantly like him. He continues “water gives shape and fire gives it colour to make a beautiful piece. You are not like a machine, meaning is lost in fast life. You must enjoy work, touch clay, have fun.”
There is a collection of work that has a nice fired clay quality but it’s a shade not commonly seen, he catches me glancing at the pots and says that it is Purple clay from Punggol.
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| in conversation … |
In 2008, Mr.Boon made an exciting discovery. During an extension of the punggol river in the east of singapore, he discovered the most beautiful clay he had ever seen. Light Purple in colour, it possesses many attractive qualities. its natural character makes chemical treatment unnecessary and it throws well at the electric wheel, Working with assorted colour glazes and firing to 1200 degree C and above to produce brilliant results. He experiments fervently with traditional forms and his fav colour glazes . The clay is indeed uniquely Singaporean.
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| punggol clay pots top right ! |
Deviba Wala: why clay As your medium of choice?
Mr. Boon : It always was. it is there today. a million years from now they will still be making pots from clay. because it will be the only real thing. handmade clay platters n pots will be the only connection to the earth once we are done entirely paving it !
It is a natural medium. clay I find in china, japan has similar clay. human beings are basically same clay is like that. nothing else can produce work like this but clay. Culture strong Country Strong .
D : are you a man of the old ways ?
B : In fact I use technology for study and research. If I want to find something I look on the net. but then I switch it off. Technology can be use good or use bad.
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| the workshop : offers classes to enthusiasts |
D : tell us something about yourself
B : been working for 14 years. I did not take my school education so seriously. My father is from China. My early lessons in pottery are from china. Work Method is very different That is very much like a production line. some learn only to throw pots, some only to glaze. I had to build on my knowledge a lot and learn a lot more when I came to singapore . I had to learn to do it all. I develop things a different way from then.
B : Traditional definitely, pottery is a traditional art. This work cannot be rushed. It is a pure form over time I have learned the techniques through trial and error. I prefer wood firing.
This work requires patience, behavior, team work.
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| Andrew Chua with his sculpture. he is an integral prescence at boons pottery. |
D : What is it like to be able to emotionally “move” the viewer ?
B : It makes me feel. i have no words. I do only 10 odd pieces. i reject work even with the slightest defect. I want people to have only the best. no matter who buys my work.or where it goes, My name is carried. I am very particular n passionate about my work.
A sizable chunk or 90% of my work is sold overseas. I have spent a lifetime’s effort working with clay.
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| pottery studio : what dreams are made of ! |
D : Are the effects the work leaves ..permanent ?
B : In pottery I like to make functional art pieces and maintain high quality. people are happy to have my work. it is a relationship I value. Now a days work is factory made. costs go down. hand work is more expensive so it takes some effort to find people who value it . I have support from friends and locals. I want people who like my work to have it. even for a lesser amount. you don’t always think of only profit.
D : How do different strata of people and cultures interpret this type of work (such as yours). what does art mean to you ?
B : In the past my work has been purchased by the royal family and the presidents of different countries. People gift my work to dignitaries on official visits because it is a part of the authentic culture n heritage. ceramic work is one of our national treasures. I am proud of that but that is not why I work. I work because I like to work. I want people to enjoy handmade things.
sometimes I work for many months and nobody will buy my work, I will keep working, my rent will pile up and everybody will start getting worried and still I will keep working. I do not want to do anything else. I struggle to keep my studio open sometimes. The financial pressure is grave, but work is it’s own reward. This work I choose is a slow tedious process. the basic technique is the same. most people don't have so much patience. sometimes the most simple is the most difficult.
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| :) |
D : what are the problems faced ‘market wise’ in singapore as far as the art scene is concerned ..
B : Sometimes there is a problem because I have to look for market overseas. singapore someday will open up more to with a medium like pottery. Now there are relatively few takers as compared to the other arts. To see more of my work in my own surrounding .. thats my dream :)
D : tell me more ..
B : In countries like papua new guinea and Africa people eat food in bowls and plates made by hand. Man discovered firing of clay by accident. A cave fire ended and the clay formed hardened lumps and when !! This led to the birth of the clay bowl. Pots n pans were made in so many different types over the years and it became an art form. Everything has been lost only museums have this work.I like to educate and share.
D : transcending functionality ...
B : Apart from its functional use pottery is the medium I use to talk to people. I see people with low confidence and tell them holding up a crackled clay pot. look at it. its beautiful . it s cracked . but its beautiful. and it still has its functional use. its cracked only on the surface .it is a nice strong pot.
it is unique because of the way it is cracked. each pot is different. if you are not perfect ,you are still beautiful and you have a purpose to fulfil.
wheel throwing sounds very romantic but it is most difficult. 30 days i learn - then nothing - it takes patience. right amount of water, right amount of pressure. Glazes are minerals.gemstones and crystals are powdered and applied to surface before firing. The process of firing cannot be controlled in totality. every time when I open the kiln it is exciting.
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| ying and yang |
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| different finishes on the inside and outside. |
Pottery for everyone !!
My advice for young artists : work hard. interest is very important. no matter what u got to put effort. respect will come to you. practice and beauty will come to you.
how can u not like a man who says “ I do workshop for Microsoft and yahoo people, they have computer hands. I make them potter hands !! ”
retired people sit and drink coffee .. I tell them make their own pots .I tell them all to pick up pottery, for there is no greater satisfaction.
The interview was over I thought and then he asks me a question ..
you potter ? Occasionally I say. !!!! “copper bits, oily magazines and saw dust you use now” he tells me... “make big fire and beautiful pots”.
for more info or to connect please check
https://www.facebook.com/boonspottery.
