Meet your makers: These PH ceramic artists are molding the age-old art into modernity
Whether we admit it or not, this lockdown has made us delve into our creative pursuits. From baking, plant-tending, to just plain old home design, most of us have turned to the artist inside to keep afloat.
With the mix of art pursual and modern endless scrolling, the age-old art of pottery has been turning our heads. No longer the far-reaching medium, young ceramic makers are now (literally) molding it into modernity.
We caught up with three Filipino ceramicists (@wabi_sabiPH, @manibalang, and @ioridori) to learn how they got their hands dirty – and how to get ours too.
Origin story
With the three almost always having their pieces sold out, it’s hard to realize that they were once beginners like the rest of us – but just getting started takes a lot of time and effort.
@wabi_sabiPH: ‘We started with @plastermaster – sculpting with air-dry and polymer clay then we took a pottery workshop early 2019. Kept going ever since!’
@ioridori: ‘I started 2008 when I attend a @pettyjohnpottery workshop.’
@manibalang: ‘I took it up in 2017 as art therapy to manage my anxiety and manic depression and it worked so well for me that I never let it go. Eventually got my own wheel and started making pottery from my sampayan where I still work now.’
Aside from sharing their origins, the triad also offered the most practical advice they can give for those raring to get into the medium – as it’s ultimately a craft that ought to be honed and practiced regularly.
@wabi_sabiPH: ‘Get into a class! You can still learn from an abundant selection of books or youtube videos but nothing will teach you better than a space that will provide hands-on experience and guidance from a teacher.’
@ioridori: ‘You don’t need expensive equipment when you’re starting, use whatever tools you can find in your house.’
@manibalang: ‘Ceramics is a collaboration with the elements – it might take some time and patience to communicate your ideas with the medium at first, but you’ll be guided by the elements (like if you use too much water, your pot could crack as it dries up. We only need to pay attention.’
Outlet or challenge?
Like any other art form, pottery in itself can bring both fatigue and a sense of fulfillment – but those interested in the craft ought to be prepared for how it can affect one’s self. We asked the trio if been a mixed bag of good and bad.
@wabi_sabiPH: ‘Because what would sound more fun than getting muddy and making a mug!’
@ioridori: ‘It’s a bit of both! Working with pottery is a relaxing exercise. Clay is a very forgiving medium but you need some patience because it is a very slow process. Pottery teaches mindfulness and intent. There is happiness in being able to use something you have made.’
@manibalang: ‘Making pottery has been an effective mindfulness practice for me, especially in dealing with my anxiety. it doesn’t really ask much of you, only your presence.’
In the time of COVID-19
Ceramic artists are no exception to the numerous online shops and local artists given the spotlight nowadays, as they share how the lockdown has affected the business – whether on the good or bad side.
@wabi_sabiPH: ‘Before the lockdown, we were working at a laxed pace building from a rented studio. The lockdown actually pushed us to bulk up on stock- making as much as we can to finally invest in building our own studio.’
@ioridori: ‘It is more difficult to source materials so I have to make do with what I have. Workshops are also put on hold.’
@manibalang: ‘Since a lot of people are stuck indoors, the demand for things that spark joy like ceramics has risen which is great in that the ceramics community is thriving! We love to see it.
‘But also not too great in that I have a hard time keeping up with the demand (making ceramics takes so much time and energy and soul).
Despite the boost in sales and interest, burnout is bound to happen amidst PH’s growing COVID-19 cases and the so-called ‘pandemic-anxiety‘ prevalent in the country. As ceramic making consumes brain power, physical work, and different materials, the art process can also be at risk.
@wabi_sabiPH: ‘I think this lockdown, at least to us, created a sudden suspension of time. It’s like all of a sudden, you get all the time in the world to do whatever you want. So it really gave us the time to play around with ideas. ‘
@ioridori: ‘Yes, during the early lockdown, I didn’t have the energy to produce work because of anxiety. Pottery is mostly about “centering”, calmness and controlling the clay and when you aren’t centered yourself, it becomes difficult.’
@manibalang: ‘The pandemic has significantly affected my wellbeing, which greatly impacts my process. More than being stuck indoors for months with no end in sight, the government’s pandemic response has been abysmal at best. It’s incredibly violent how they can impose a lockdown tapos walang ayuda?? so people are forced to go out and work to survive??? meanwhile we’re incurring trillions in debt?? na parang di naman natin nararamdaman?? and even as the country’s covid19 cases continue to rise at an alarming rate, wala pa ring klarong plano kung paano sosolusyunan ito pero somehow napasara na ang ABS-CBN at naipasa na ang Anti-Terror Law, among many other horrific events.’
If you’re down to support our local artists, you can inquire to @wabi_sabiPH, @manibalang, and @ioridori via IG
The post <b> Meet your makers: These PH ceramic artists are molding the age-old art into modernity </b> appeared first on WE THE PVBLIC.
Source: we the pvblic
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