The Potter And The Weaver
Continuing its Artist-in-Residence series, which showcases artisanal talents from across the region, The Atelier welcomes ceramic artist Adil Abdul Ghani and visual artist Dayang van Wezel-Salim
Dayang van Wezel-Salim
Dayang van Wezel-Salim A Singaporean visual artist and interior designer, Dayang van WezelSalim is of Malay and Indonesian heritage and is best known for her visual works which harmoniously combine elements of both eastern and western culture, often in vibrant colours.
Taking inspiration from everyday observations, Dayang produces striking prints that are laced with linguistic and religious themes and which explore the use of colour, texture and form. With a focus on acrylic paint, collage and embroidery art that celebrates the spirit of unity and embodies cultural diversity, her pieces tell the tales of her cross-cultural exposure, which includes years living in the Netherlands and Shanghai.
Determined to explore different art mediums, including traditional art techniques like batik and its Indonesian sibling ikat, Dayang employs natural fabrics and dyes as well as thread to give depth to prints that showcase culture and community, an aspect accentuated by her involvement with Lady Ayaz Group, a UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) initiative that empowers refugees through sewing activities.
In addition to her artworks, Dayang also turns her talents to homewares, with many pieces boasting traditional Indonesian ikat pattern in vibrant hues.
Adil Abdul Ghani
Educated at Universiti Technology MARA, Perak-based Adil Abdul Ghani is the creative powerhouse behind ceramic art brand Raaquu, which was founded in 2020. Adil has a passion for Raku ceramics, a Japanese pottery style first developed in the 1580s that is characterised by the removal of a clay object from the kiln at the height of the firing, causing it to cool very rapidly.
Raku ceramics are revered because of the unpredictability of the firing technique, which combines extreme heat and a reduction process that sees the new ceramic piece placed straight into combustible material – usually sawdust – which is then ignited, causing unique colours to coat the piece.
Adil’s works have been showcased in exhibitions across the world, and while he has applied his talents to a variety of pottery styles, it’s his Raku pieces, acclaimed for their rainbow patinas and metallic coatings created through this unique process, that have earned him a loyal following. Inspired by nature, Adil taps into the natural world to create clay and grogged earthenware ceramics with mysterious, smoky features in a style that’s known as ‘painting with fire’.
With 15 years experience, Adil’s elegant, aweinspiring works include everything from unique ceramic art pieces through to tableware, sculptures, home décor, and gifts. Last year he created Raaquu’s first Art Series Ceramic Vase collection, which features digital non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and is designed for digital collectors.
Article Source: https://www.thedatai.com/media/2952/ikhlas-issue-6.pdf