Iskandar Jalil

Iskandar Jalil (b. 1940, Singapore -) is a highly-regarded local ceramist who uses fine clay to develop bowls and pots into art works, integrating Japanese and Islamic styles. He was awarded two Colombo Plan scholarships, to study textiles in India (1962) and ceramic engineering in Japan (1972), which started him on the road to a highly successful career as a potter.

Career
The youngest of five children, Iskandar grew up at Kampong Chantek at Bukit Timah. He had trained and worked initially as a maths and science teacher. However, his second Colombo Plan scholarship in 1972 brought him to Japan where he was introduced to the fine art of pottery, much appreciated by the Japanese. Thus began his passion for pottery. Since the 1970s, Iskandar had exhibited his work in Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Sweden. Besides being a prolific potter, he also influenced young artists through his teaching. He taught at the Baharuddin Vocational Institute and later at Temasek Polytechnic's School of Design until his retirement in 1999. He also taught at community centres and the Nanyang School of Fine Arts. He has been an external examiner for colleges in Australia and Malaysia. He still gives weekly lectures on pottery at the National University of Singapore.

His work is featured in the collections of many international public and private collections, such as those by the National Museum of Sweden, Sultan of Brunei, former American President George Bush, and the Governor of Hong Kong. His work is also included in several collections in Singapore, including those by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, National Museum of Singapore, several banks, statutory boards and educational organisations. Some of his larger works can be seen in public places like the MRT wall mural in Tanjong Pagar Station (1988), and the wall mural in Changi Airport Terminal Two  (1990).

Philosophy
According to Iskandar, it takes twenty years to learn the craft, develop one's style, and become a good potter. He loves working with clay because it is soft, pliable, and simple. He is not motivated by money, and believes in doing his work with honesty and humility. He creates one-off pieces rather than produce large numbers of products for profit. Being a representative of Singapore's first generation of potters, he believes that he must concentrate on laying the foundations and setting the standards for future potters. The simplicity and significance of the form of the bowl is of prime importance to this master potter; it represents nature, mankind, and God.

Timeline
1962 : Teacher's Training College, Singapore
1966 : Colombo Plan Scholarship (Textile), India
1971 : First group exhibition, ASEAN Art Exhibition at Malaysia
1972 : Colombo Plan Scholarship (Ceramics Engineering), Japan
1985 : first solo exhibition entitled "Raw, Earthy and Pliable" at Alpha Gallery, Singapore
2000 : he returned to Japan to visit his old teacher to investigate his renewed interest in the form of the bowl. This teacher conferred the title 'master potter' on him to acknowledge the 'full circle' of his career journey.
2001 : The Economic Development Board (EDB) sponsored a book on Jalil's work entitled Square One- A Potter's Journey, featuring works commissioned by EDB to mark its 40th anniversary, as well as works produced throughout his career.

Awards
1977 : Special Award, the National Day Art Exhibition
1988 : National Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts
1994 : Fellow, Centre for the Arts, National University of Singapore
2002 : Berita Harian Achiever of the Year award. The trophy was something that he himself had designed four years prior to this. The three steel bars on top of the pewter column represent past, present and future achievements of the recipient.

Family
Wife: Saleha, a homes economics teacher
Children: Daughter Elena and son, Edzra.

Iskandar Jalil lives in Jalan Kembangan with his wife and two children. He is a devout Muslim and has been to the Umrah and the Haj.



Author
Ruth Creamer



References 
Iskandar Jalil. (2001). Square one: A potter's journey (p. 128). Singapore: Economic Development Board.
(Call no.: RSING 738.095957 ISK) 

Singapore Artist Directory. (1992). Singapore: Empress Place Museum.
(Call no.: RSING 709.59570922 SAD) 

Lim, R. (2001, August 1). No begging bowl: the spirit of the bowl. The Straits Times, Life, pp. 1, 4.

Rohaniah Saini. (1995, December 19). It's talking to me at last! - the clay is human, and it is a woman: Iskandar. The Straits Times, Life! pp. 1-2.

Potter Iskandar gets Achiever of the Year award. (2002, August 1). The Straits Times, Singapore, p. 2. 



The information in this article is valid as at 2003 and correct as far as we can ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.

Subject
Arts>>Visual Arts
Personalities>>Biographies>>Artists>>Cultural Medallion Recipients
Iskandar Jalil, 1940- --Biography
Potters--Singapore--Biography
Arts>>Decorative arts>>Pottery and ceramics