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Couple build The Clay House around their love for art

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For 26 years, the Leongs have journeyed as husband and wife while growing their love and passion for the art of ceramics.

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Free Malaysia Today
The entrance of The Clay House at Jonker Street, Melaka. (Taylor’s University pic)

The Clay House is owned by Loh Kim Meng and her husband Leong Chee Hsiung and is located in the touristy part of Melaka along Jonker Street. It was established in 1995.

The shop is teeming with fascinating ceramic and wood works of every shape and size imaginable and range from basic household items to huge sculptures that make great home decor pieces.

But beautiful ceramic pieces aside, the uniqueness of The Clay House is that every single piece of artwork sold here is handmade, inspired by Japanese and Taiwanese techniques and designs.

While Leong is a master at ceramic art, ceramic throwing and glazing techniques, Loh creates some of the most jaw-dropping three-dimensional sculptures and wood carvings.

Extremely artistic and opinionated, both husband and wife live by the philosophy of staying true to their passion and walking each step of the way together until they realise their collective and individual dreams.

The first to admit that their ceramics business is not a big money-earner, they do however believe it is a labour of love and a shared passion that has seen them through thick and thin.

In their own words, “If you truly love something, you would have a burning desire to keep it alive”, something both artists can attest to.

Now, after having devoted 26 years of their lives to the business, the couple are ready to expand their range of artwork and share their knowledge about ceramics with others interested in this artform.

Free Malaysia Today
Various ceramic artworks created by the couple. (Taylor’s University pic)

Raising awareness

The couple have co-founded the Malacca Art Association with close friends with the aim of bringing fellow artists together to showcase their own artwork. To this end, the association holds an annual art exhibition showcasing ceramics, calligraphy, paintings and more.

So passionate are the pair about ceramics, that they are also campaigning for ceramic art to be taught in primary schools so kids are introduced to it at a younger age.

They believe that anyone can channel their creativity through modelling their own clay using their imagination. Once a student is able to achieve this small act, it will eventually draw them closer towards a deeper understanding of the art of ceramics.

“We hope that more people are able to discover the beauty of ceramics. If you have what it takes, let the art infiltrate your life,” the couple said.

Free Malaysia Today
Leong Chee Hsiung working on a new ceramic artwork. (Taylor’s University pic)

International appeal

Covid-19 was a major setback for their ceramic business as they lost many loyal customers, including foreign tourists. Prior to the pandemic, their customer base comprised mainly European tourists who flocked to Jonker Street in droves to purchase their work.

Loh recalled how a Syrian sculptor once wandered into their shop as she was working on one of her carvings. Fascinated at her dexterity, he offered to hold workshops at The Clay House so she and her close friends could learn how to sculpt using the medium of fiberglass.

The knowledge she picked up at these workshops led to the creation of many beautiful artworks, some of which were auctioned off at the French Cultural Society Exhibition. Her remaining exhibits are presently displayed at The Clay House.

Besides selling ceramic and wooden artworks, the couple also hold workshops of their own, although the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent movement control orders (MCO) has put an end to everything – at least for now.

Nonetheless, Loh and Leong are still holding on to their dreams and despite the pandemic, are already working on holding a ceramics exhibition with fellow students and alumni of the Kuala Lumpur College of Art (KLCA) once the Covid-19 situation in the country improves.

To see the goings-on at The Clay House, visit their Facebook page.

The Clay house
18, Jalan Tukang Emas, 75200 Melaka.

This article was written by the Mass Communication faculty of Taylor’s University.

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