IN a symphony of clay and fire, RAAQUU, Malaysia's premier ceramic art brand, recently unveiled a captivating showcase of sculptural magnificence at its inaugural solo exhibition, aptly titled "Life: Magnified — The Main Show".
Curated at ZHAN Art Space in Petaling Jaya, the exhibition offered art enthusiasts the opportunity to view a breathtaking collection of 15 large-scale ceramic sculptures that pushed the boundaries of imagination and craftsmanship.
Adil Ghani, the innovative ceramic artist steering RAAQUU, orchestrated the exhibition that transcends the conventional, inviting everyone to embark on a journey into the intricacies of nature and humanity, magnified through the lens of ceramic artistry.
The launch, officiated by Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, marked a significant moment in the country's art scene. Others who also came to view Adil's artistry included Zainariah Johari, chief executive officer of MyCreative Ventures Group, luminaries from the creative industry, as well as connoisseurs of the arts.
REALISING A DREAM
"It has been a dream of mine to put together RAAQUU's first-ever solo exhibition that highlights the brand in a more diverse and distinct light," begins Adil, beaming broadly, as he shares his inspiration for "Life: Magnified".
The exhibition, he enthusiastically elaborates, aims to spotlight earthenware sculptures produced using the Japanese art of Raku, which captures facets of nature and humanity, drawing inspiration from micro-life such as diatoms and microbial bacterium.
Adil's meticulous craftsmanship unveils a fusion of natural formations and imaginative musings, transporting observers to a realm, where art mirrors the wonders of life.
In Raku, pottery is fired at a relatively low temperature and then moved red-hot to a closed reduction chamber with combustible materials (such as paper or sawdust), which will ignite and cause a reaction to create colours and patterns in the pottery's surface.
Drawing parallels between Raku's firing technique and the evolution of micro-life, Adil pondered on the unpredictability of shapes formed during both processes. He challenged the audience to contemplate a life-sized rendition of microscopic organisms and life-forms, sparking a narrative that permeated every piece in the exhibition.
He further shares: "The whole process of ideation down to the actual fabrication, construction and production of these large-scale sculptures took me and my team six months to complete. As challenging and arduous as it may be, the experience has provided me with the opportunity to understand the dexterity of the Raku technique better, and its newfound beauty."
Meanwhile, on a personal level, the journey has literally been "life magnifying" confides Adil, adding: "And I must thank my family for their encouragement and patience that has motivated me to pursue this vision".
BRINGING HOME THE MAGIC
Desmond Tong, founder and curator of ZHAN Art Space, expressed his excitement about hosting RAAQUU's first sculptural exhibition, remarking: "We believe that Adil's mastery should be brought to the forefront of the Malaysian art industry. We hope this exhibition would diminish some of the ill-advised perspectives with regards to art — that ultimately art comes in many forms, including ceramic sculptures."
Under the banner of RAAQUU's tagline "Painted By Fire", the exhibited sculptures, borne from the intense firing method, reveal unique characteristics. Each piece captivates with its individuality. The unpredictable colours lend the ceramic pieces a distinctive temperament.
In addition to the breathtaking sculptures, the exhibition also offers a glimpse into RAAQUU's unique accessory line, which includes wearable art. Alongside these, there's also an array of contemporary and functional home decoration pieces, including ceramic vases of various shapes and sizes, to contemplate for the home.
The exhibition, open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, invites all to immerse themselves in the captivating world of RAAQUU's ceramic artistry. For inquiries, email zhanartspace@gmail.com or desmond@zhanart.my.