The Southeast Asian Ceramic Society was founded in 1969 to widen appreciation and acquire knowledge of the ceramic art of China and countries adjacent to China, especially those of Southeast Asia. To pursue this aim, members meet for periodic discussions, to hear talks by both local and international experts, and to study and compare ‘pots’.
An Overview of the Evolution of Japanese Ceramic Culture: Wednesday, 27 January, 2021, 7:00 pm SGT
Members will receive an email with the invitation and ZOOM log-in one week prior to the event.
Our January programme will feature the classical ceramics of Japan introduced by SEACS member Chris Wells, who is based in Tokyo. For more information on this programme, click here. The following month’s programme will be a continuation of the theme of Japanese ceramic art with the introduction of Mingei (or the folk art) Movement and will feature archival films of Hamada Shoji and others. If you haven’t joined the Society yet, now would be a good time.
The Inaugural ‘Singapore Ceramics Now 2021’ (SCN) exhibition in Gillman Barracks aims to make its mark as a visionary platform of contemporary ceramics that surveys the work of 19 Singapore-based artists.
Embracing the curatorial theme of “Marking | Making”, the exhibition celebrates the diverse processes, techniques, and artistic ideas within ceramics art in Singapore. The artworks strike a balance between showcasing the dexterity of traditional and experimental techniques and presenting ceramic art objects in refreshing contexts.
SCN aims to create an open dialogue for Singapore-based ceramicists on experimentation and new approaches, and to develop a unique experience for local audiences to re-imagine how ceramics can be encountered and appreciated in Singapore.
Exhibition dates | 20th January to 13th February 2021
Exhibition venue | Block 7, Level 1, Gillman Barracks
Media preview | 20th January, 2021, 4.00pm to 6.30pm
Vietnamese Ceramics on display in Korea
For anyone in Korea, or travelling there soon, a range of exquisite Vietnamese products, including ceramics, have been included in an exhibition at the Gwangju National Museum as part of ongoing cooperation activities between the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s side and the Vietnam National Museum of History.
On display are 73 Vietnamese ceramic products which range in age from 3,500 to 3,000 years old up to the 19th century.
SEACS members are reminded that SEACS published a classic book on Vietnamese Ceramics in 1982. Copies are available from Amazon at US$41+ postage.
Coming soon in 2021 - Our Annual Members' Sale
Coming Soon – SEACS’ Annual Ceramics Sale featuring ceramics de-accessioned from its members’ collections plus books, articles and magazines relevant to the study of ceramics. Terrific bargains are to be had and all to help support the society’s projects and activities. Open to the public. Date to be announced shortly. Watch this space for further details!
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO...
We organised our first exhibition at the University of Singapore Art Museum in 1971. This landmark exhibition consisted of 350 examples of Khmer, Annamese and early Thai ceramics, drawn largely from the university collection, curated by Mr William Willetts, who was the museum’s curator at the time. A substantial number of pieces also came from the collections of our first president, Mrs. Helen Ling, and other early members including Don Sinclair, Dr. & Mrs. Earl Lu, K. T. Goh, S. R. Parker, Professor & Mrs. K. J. Ratnam, and others.
The historian John Guy has noted that this “presentation of the then little known ceramic tradition of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam caused a stir amongst the oriental ceramic cognoscenti.” Furthermore, that “the Willetts pioneering Catalogue for the Society inspired a generation of younger scholars and stimulated the interest of government archaeological departments throughout Southeast Asia.” As a consequence, ceramic societies were to emerge in ensuing years in West Malaysia, Jakarta, Manila and Hong Kong, following the lead of the Singapore chapter.
The Society holds an annual William Willetts Lecture, held immediately after the Society’s Annual General Meeting. Click here for a list of our distinguished William Willetts lecturers since its inauguration in 1999.
The Society reinforces its online presence through the digitisation of some of its publications. You will find them on our publication pages.
In 2019, the Society celebrated its 50th anniversary, the same year Singapore commemorated its bicentennial. Join us as we enter our sixth decade. Members needn’t be collectors, just interested in the various roles ceramics play in history, trade and culture. We are open to all from beginners to academics to specialized collectors.
You can connect with us on Facebook, where our activities, many open to the public, are updated on a regular basis.