Singapore
Highly textured ceramics in earthy brown, blue and turquoise glazes are characteristic of Iskandar’s style. Iskandar Jalil has been a recipient of the Cultural Medallion (Visual Arts) award in 1988, and the Pingat Apad from the Singapore Malay Arts Society in 1998. Iskandar has taught and made pottery for over 40 years, and is now recognised as one of the most established and prominent ceramicists in the region.
"Spherical forms have a tremendous significance to me. It is linked with human traditions, my vision of the world, my concept of completeness, fulfilment, purity and oneness."
BORN 1940, Singapore.
EDUCATION
1962
Teacher's Training College, Singapore
1966
Textile Weaving and Spinning, India. Colombo Plan Scholarship.
1968
Pottery for Schools, Teachers' Training College, Singapore
1972
Ceramics Engineering Course, Tajimi Design/Research Centre, Japan.
Colombo Plan Scholarship
1979
Workshop/seminar on Pottery, Japan
International Co-operation Agency, Japan
1991
Workshop, Australian National University, Australia
ONE MAN EXHIBITIONS
1985
"Raw, Earthy and Pliable", Alpha Gallery, Singapore
1990
"Potter's Journey", National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
1992
Ceramics, Bon Belta, Miyazaki Perfecture, Japan
1995
My Dialogue With Clay, Takashimaya Gallery, Singapore
2001
Potter's Life, Potter's Thoughts, MITA Artrium, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore
2004
New Zealand Festival of Arts, Wellington, New Zealand
2005
"For Cambodia", Raffles le Royal, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
2007
"Material, Message, Metaphor", MICA Artrium, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore
"Reshaping Asia", the 4th World Ceramic Biennale 2007, Icheon Ceramic Centre, Korea
2012
"Images of My Pottery Travels", MICA Artrium, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1971
ASEAN Art Exhibition, Malaysia
1975
14 Singapore Ceramic Artists, National Museum Art Gallery, Singapore
1976
Contemporary Singapore Sculptures, National Museum, Singapore
1978 I
International Ceramics, Taipei, Taiwan
1979
Ceramics & Sculpture, Gallery Asia, Singapore
1981
International Design, Osaka, Japan
1985
International Ceramics, Taipei, Taiwan
1986
Clayworks, Alpha Gallery, Singapore
1987
Ying and Yang, National University of Singapore
1987
National Museum?s Centenary Art Festival, Singapore
1987
Basic, National Museum, Singapore
1987
Contemporary Ceramics, National Museum, Singapore
1988
Infinity, Westin Stamford Hotel, Singapore
1988
Clay and Cloth (exhibition of pottery and quilt arts with wife, Saleha Amir), NM, Singapore
1991
Singapore Pottery, Stockholm, Sweden
1991
Clay Pieces, National Museum, Singapore
1992
Pottery, Miyazaki, Kyushu, Japan
1993
Hong Kong Festival of Arts, Hong Kong
1994
Contrasts, Takashimaya Gallery, Singapore
1994
Gane & Benge Meet Iskandar Jalil, Art-2, The Substation Gallery, Singapore
1995
Malay Artists, Petronas Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1995
4th International Ceramics, Ceramics Competition ?95, Tajimi Gifu, Japan
1995
International Ceramics Competition, Mino, Japan
1995
Singapore Art '95, Suntec City, Singapore
1999
Feature 5, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore
1999
Shifting Paradigms: Handmade, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
1999
Ceramitivity, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2002
Discovery Phase, Art-2 Gallery, Singapore
2003
Ceramitivity, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2004
Crossroads, Making of New Identities, National University of Singapore
2005
Seven Masters, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
2006
Ceramitivity, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2006
Ceramics: Beyond Borders, Singapore National Library, Singapore
2006
Dragon Kiln, Jalan Bahar, Singapore
SELECTED AWARDS
1977
Special Award, National Day Art Exhibition, Singapore
1988 National Cultural Medallion For Visual Arts, Singapore
1994
Fellow, Centre For The Arts, National University of Singapore, Singapore
2002
Achiever of The Year Award(Macdonald/Berita Harian), Singapore
LARGE PROJECTS
1988
MRT Wall Mural (3m x 10m x 2 Walls), Tanjong Pagar Station, Singapore Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore
1990
Wall Mural (3m x 10m x 2 Walls), Changi International Airport Terminal 2, Singapore
1992
Clock Tower, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan (10m high)
1991/2
Souvenirs for International Design Forum Speakers,
Design Centre of Singapore
1992
Special Gifts for Special Events commissioned by Southebys and Plum Blossom
1992/3
Special Gifts National Book Council of Singapore
1994
Coporate Gifts for Keppel Shipyard, Singapore
1995
Singapore Press Holdings 150th Year, Singapore
1995
Pan United Corporation Wall Mural, Tuas, Singapore
2002
Wall Mural, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore
2003
Wall Mural, National Trade Union Congress, Singapore
2004
Marina Barrage, Public Utilities Board, Singapore
2004
Singa Kiln Mercy Relief Project, Bakong, Siew Reap, Cambodia
2005
Jalan Bahar Pottery Studios, Lorong Tawas, Singapore
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Former President Wee Kim Wee, Singapore
Former Preseindent George Bush, USA
Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Malaysia
Senior Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew
Economic Development Board, Singapore
Trade Development Board, Singapore
Development Bank of Singapore
Mass Rapid Transit Corporation, Singapore
National Museum of Singapore
National Museum of Sweden
Governor of Hong Kong
Lord Baden Powell, World Chief Scout
Sultan of Brunei
Washington, D.C. (Singapore House)
Octogram Design Pte Ltd
Su Yeang Design
Temasek Polytechnic
Raffles Country Club
La Salle SIA College of the Arts
Keppel Shipyard
Many private individuals in Japan, Malaysia, Australia, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, UK, New Zealand, Asean Countries, USA, France, Middle East Countries, etc.
SELECTED COMMITTEES
1988 Advisor, Council for Visual Arts,
Ministry of Community Development, Singapore
1992
Advisor, National Arts Council, Ministry of Information and the Arts, Singapore
1983
To date External Examiner, MARA Institude of Technology, Malaysia
1991
Lecturer, School of Design, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore
1993
Fellow, National University of Singapore Arts Centre
POTTERY TOURS WITH POTTERY STUDENTS
1989
North and South Island, New Zealand
1992
Pottery Tour Central Japan, Honshu, Japan
PUBLICATIONS
1990
Potters' Journey
1995
My Dialogue with Clay
2001
Square One, A Potter's Journey
2007
Material, Message, Metaphor - The Pottery Voice of Iskandar Jalil