Expanded ways of seeing : two exhibitions on ceramic art in Singapore

• Main Author: Seah, Lucinda Kar Hui
• Other Authors: Laura Miotto
• Format: Thesis-Master by Coursework
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2021
• Subjects: Social sciences; Visual arts and music
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/152735
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study focuses on ceramic arts and its relations to the contemporary art discourse in Singapore. While ceramics has experienced a global renaissance and ceramic arts exhibitions have evolved, they were historically not given as much attention as other fine art forms. This study reflects on the insufficient recognition of this medium in relation to local arts and cultural identity through the lens of two significant exhibitions. The first: Kembara Tanah Liat (Clay Travels), is a retrospective on master potter Iskandar Jalil held at the National Gallery Singapore in 2016, while the second, SG Ceramics Now 2021, is a group exhibition of contemporary artists based in Singapore held at Gillman Barrack. These case studies are investigated by means of direct observation, archival research, and conversations with the curators and are reflective of Singapore and Southeast Asian identity and concerns. Using sources such as Newspaper SG, exhibition catalogues and online reviews this study also offers an overview on the display of ceramic art in Singapore from 2000 to 2021 and is an attempt to survey an area of exhibition history which is under researched. This research seeks to highlight the significance of ceramic as a contemporary medium, and its implications as an expression of a local identity that reflects Southeast Asian concerns and viewpoints, and therefore expands our understanding of modern and contemporary art beyond western parameters.