Ideology:Dr Iskandar has memorably shared that he has a “love-hate relationship with the teapot” but never tires of making it*. Indeed, the teapot is a staple vessel in Dr Iskandar’s practice. This elegant black teapot has a cylindrical body that gently flares at its base. A slick metal handle attaches to the pot through two significant lugs. The teapot is imbued with the aura of Asian tea rituals that may be ceremonial or social. The beauty and resonance of its form and function make it an alluring vessel for potters. Yet, despite its simple appearance, the teapot is one of the most challenging vessels to master. Much is demanded of a potter in the feat of mastering the structure of a tea-pot. This involves perfecting the angle and size of its spout, the security of its lid and design of its handle to enable the ease of lifting and smooth pouring without spillage or dribbling. Dr Iskandar has observed that to throw a successful teapot, one had to have “an engineering mind, endless years of practice and a disciplined, aesthetic approach” **. *(Ed) Goh M., Square One: A Potter’s Journey, (EDB, Singapore, 2001: p81) **(Ed) Chee, L., Iskandar Jalil: Images of My Pottery Travels (Iskandar Jalil, Singapore 2011: p108)
Detail of Work:Weight : 1.5kg Dimension : H 31 x 15 x 15 cm Technical Info:Wheel thrown High-fired at 1300ºC, reduction gas-firing Material:White stoneware, metal handle Glaze:Black tenmoku glaze Seal:1 key motif, c.2006 1 Iskandar Jalil signature (at the foot)
