Showcasing the creative side of ceramics

CERAMIC art is going to get a boost in interest and activity in the later part of this year, fired up partly by renewed activity at the Thow Kwang dragon kiln. September will see the launch of the International Chawan Exposition and workshops, playing host to some 140 potters from around the world and Singapore, while the second Awaken the Dragon festival is gearing up to collect some 3,000 ceramic pieces from the Singapore community for an October firing.

The International Chawan Exposition's 16th edition will be held in Singapore for the first time, says artist Steven Low, who's organising the expo in Singapore.

The exhibition on handmade teacups used in the Japanese traditional tea ceremony has been held in different countries around the world since German artist Lou Smedts started the first one in 2005. Since there isn't as strong a tea drinking culture here as in Japan, Low is organising workshops on chawan-making and tea appreciation, leading up to the exposition. "We're encouraging people to learn not just about the Japanese tea ceremony, but also Chinese tea culture. And we'll even have a teh-tarik demonstration during the Exposition," he adds.