Dr Iskandar Jalil: A Master Potter’s Philosophy and Process

by Dr Iskandar Jalil

August 2016:
The exhibition - Dr Iskandar Jalil - A Master Potter’s Philosophy & Process marks the conferment of the Honorary Doctorate of Letters (honoris causa) to Iskandar Jalil for his illustrious contribution to ceramic arts and to art education in and outside Singapore. Featuring ceramic works from NIE’s permanent collection, this presentation offers insight on the Master Potter’s process and philosophy over 4 decades.

The showcase provides an overview of Dr. Iskandar’s rich artistic development and his approach as an educator – encompassing the early roots of his pottery at the Teachers’ Training College (TTC) in the 1960s, his learning immersion in India and Japan and the milestones that forged his reputation and legacy as Singapore’s distinguished ceramist and potter.

The organisers also pay tribute to Dr. Iskandar’s life as an educator and alumni of NIE, focusing on his approach to education and mentorship. In particular, the exhibition illuminates his thoughts on ‘immersive learning environments’ through overseas programs, the ideals of ‘beauty’ that are not what we assume, the crucial function of discipline in releasing creative energy, as well as the role of the artist-craftsman and his relationship to the larger community.

A rare opportunity is furnished to view Dr Iskandar’s processes including the different potter’s seals he has used over the years and the glaze recipes and formulas that he and the Temasek Potters have tested and archived. Other processes testify to how engineering science and art are brought together creatively in Dr Iskandar’s ceramic vessels

This exhibition is accompanied by a full-colour catalogue and recent video feature At the Wheel with Iskandar Jalil (Nov 2015).