JCC E-Magazine October 2016

Speakers and audiences during the dialogue session.

A dialogue session on the Cultural Exchange between Singapore and Japan through pottery was held on Saturday, 3th September 2016 at Japan Creative Centre (JCC), as part of the ceramic exhibition – Memories in Clay: Mindscape by Mr Ken Mihara. The artist himself, who flew especially from Japan, together with renowned Singaporean potter Dr Iskandar Jalil, shared their insights on the cross-cultural similarities and differences between the potteries of Singapore and Japan. The session was facilitated by Asian Civilisations Museum curator Mr Clement Onn, and joined by Mr Wahei Aoyama, Owner & Director of Yufuku Gallery.

The session had a full house of audiences, ranging from ceramic collectors to aspiring ceramic artists, where various questions were asked. Some of them included how both Mr Ken Mihara and Dr Iskandar Jalil started pottery, where does their inspirations come from, how they explored and succeeded in creating their ideal pottery, as well as a series of dialogues that discussed about the designs, aesthetics and the interpretation of Japanese culture in the art of ceramics.

Born in 1958 and the artist himself having grown up surrounded by the majestic nature of Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, Mr Ken Mihara’s work can be described as serene and sublime.

Mr Ken Mihara, artist for this exhibition, speaking at the dialogue session.

Dr Iskandar Jalil, renowned Singaporean potter, speaking at the dialogue session.

Without the use of glaze, the natural landscapes of his high-fired stoneware facades are borne through multiple, lengthy and difficult kiln-firings. Each firing reveals a new element to the work’s clay flavour, which helps to 'unlock the memories trapped within clay'. Regardless of the change in the physical appearance of his work every three to four years, every hand-coiled creation is instantly recognisable as Mr Ken Mihara’s.

Mr Ken Mihara has previously held consecutive sold-out exhibitions in Tokyo and New York since 2008, and with acquisitions by leading institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum. The exhibition is now held at Mulan Gallery from 20th September to 15th October. Please do visit if you have missed out the one at JCC!

Speakers and audiences during the dialogue session.		Mr Clement Onn, Asian Civilisations Museum curator, facilitating and speaking at the dialogue session.
Mr Wahei Aoyama, Owner & Director of Yufuku Gallery, interpreting for Mr Ken Mihara at the dialogue session.		Audiences asking questions and engaging in a dialogue with the speakers.
Audiences asking questions and engaging in a dialogue with the speakers.		Audiences asking questions and engaging in a dialogue with the speakers.
Audiences asking questions and engaging in a dialogue with the speakers.		JCC Director Ms Misako Ito with Asian Civilisations Museum curator Mr Clement Onn and one of the audiences after the dialogue session.
Audiences interacting with Mr Ken Mihara after the dialogue session.		Audiences interacting with Dr Iskandar Jalil after the dialogue session.
Audiences viewing the exhibition and works of Mr Ken Mihara after the dialogue session.		Audiences viewing the exhibition and works of Mr Ken Mihara after the dialogue session.
Audiences viewing the exhibition and works of Mr Ken Mihara after the dialogue session.		Mr Ken Mihara, Dr Iskandar Jalil and Mr Clement Onn celebrating SJ50 with the logo plaque.

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2016 marks the
50th Anniversary of Singapore-Japan Diplomatic Relations