Iskandar Jalil

Background

Iskandar grew up at Kampong Chantek at Bukit Timah and studied at Victoria School.

Career

He was awarded the Cultural Medallion for Visual Arts in 1988. 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 refined his techniques in 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. In addition, he also participated in community projects such as helping to fund the Singa Kiln Project in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in 2004. A hugely influential instructor-mentor, Iskandars oeuvre occupies a pivotal place in modern ceramics art history in Singapore.

The characteristic features of Iskandar"s works include tactile, rich surfaces, use of twigs as embellishments, use of Southeast Asian motifs and Jawi calligraphy, use of Iskandar Blue, his one-hand technique and local clay, his admiration of Japanese ceramics aesthetics and philosophy (eg Mingei Craft Movement).

Iskandar has produced large public art works alongside the modest chawan bowl. Iskandar"s 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 MRT Station (1988), and the wall mural in Changi Airport Terminal Two (1990).

Over the last two decades, he has taken 200 disciples to Japan to nurture their interest in ceramic art and given them a chance to experience Japanese culture.

In September 2014, Iskandar revealed that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer since the beginning of the year.

Achievements

• 1977: Special Award, the National Day Art Exhibition 1988: Cultural Medallion Award for Visual Arts 1994: Fellow, Centre for the Arts, National University of Singapore 1998: Pingat Apad, Angkatan Pelukis Aneka Daya 2002: Berita Harian Achiever of the Year award 2014: Japanese Foreign Minister"s Commendation Award 2015: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, from the Emperor of Japan.