Studio 3, Jalan Bahar Clay Studios
Email: hiroko.ceramic@gmail.com
Artist Biography
Hiroko Mita’s pottery journey began at Jalan Bahar Clay Studios (JBCS) in 2006. She was introduced to a pottery class that was conducted by the Master Potter Iskandar Jalil when she was a Japanese docent at the Singapore Art Museum and the National Museum of Singapore. She was invited to learn the basic techniques of hand building, throwing, making of glazes and firing by Iskander Jalil at his studio in both Malay Heritage Centre and Temasek Potters Studio. She is now continuing her pottery at JBCS where her passion in it first started.
She likes the interplay of clay, texture, glaze and color. The various forms and shapes, functional and sculpture pieces that she creates are fired to 1300°C in the gas kiln. The works are inspired by nature, music and people around her reflecting influences of Japanese culture, her study of fine art and graphic design in Japan (1986-1991) and America (1991-1994) as well as life in Singapore since 1996.
Artist Statement
Every clay and raw material has different and unique character of its own, just like us human beings. I enjoy spending time to get to know them. It is like understanding the growth of my three children. In my pottery journey I appreciate the many years of experiences of peoples with the knowledge and wisdom of pottery, who have passed through life on this earth. As such I have used Jalan Bahar local clay as clay slip and glaze on my work or ash from Guan Huat Dragon Kiln where JBCS located for my ash glaze recipe to convey my respect of the peoples and the land where I live.
Joint Exhibitions
2019 – ‘The Singapore 200th Year International Women Truth, Goodness & Beauty Art Exhibition’ Women Artists Association, Singapore (Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre)
– 20th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
– ‘FLY’ Singapore and Tokoname International Ceramic Art Exchange 2019 (Visual Arts Center)
2018 – Variables of the function ( T U Collab, Singapore)
– Ceramic Expressions, 2nd Edition 2018 (Japan Creative Centre, Mulan Gallery)
– 19th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
– ‘Singapore Stories : Ceramic Interpretations of Place around us ’ (Mulan Gallery, Singapore)
2017 – Ceramic Expressions (Japan Creative Centre, Mulan Gallery)
– 18th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
– ‘Trans (Form)’ Maya Gallery, Singapore Contemporary Art (Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre)
– ‘Prologue’ Singapore and Tokoname Ceramic Art Exchange 2017 (Jalan Bahar Clay Studios)
2016 – ‘Qi@art Sculpture & Installation Art Show’ (Telok Kurau Studios Gallery)
– 17th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
2015 – 16th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
– Temasek Potters ‘Balance In Imperfection’ (Japan Creative Centre)
– ‘Tribute to Local Clay’ (Maya Gallery)
2014 – 16th International Chawan Expo-Singapore (Ngee Ann Cultural Center)
2013 – ‘Shakei’ (The Glocal Connect Village Art Gallery, Temasek Polytechnic)
– 14th Japan Ceramic Art Foundation (The National Art Center, Tokyo)
– ‘Firing A Passion’ (NTU Innovation Centre)
– Jalan Bahar Clay Studios Gallery (JBCS Gallery)
– ‘Iskandar Jalil, A Lifelong Passion For His Craft And His Teaching’ (Japan Creative Centre)
2011 – ‘Raw Interpretations’ (Art-2 Gallery)
– 7th Ngee Ann 3D Art Exhibition (Ngee Ann Cultural Centre)
2008 – ‘Inspiration from Kampong Glam’ (Malay Heritage Centre)
Commissioned Work
2018 – Duke-NUS Medical School
2017 – Duke-NUS Medical School
2016 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore
2015 – National Arts Council, SG50 Arts Patron Award
2011 – National Heritage Board, Patron of Heritage Awards
Group Project
2016 – Mural Wall The Lee Kong Chain School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University
Pots
Photograph by Heiko Schulze
Boxes
JALAN BAHAR CLAY STUDIOS 