Michelle Oon of Tenmoku Pottery (M) Sdn Bhd believes that pottery is therapeutic and can do wonders.
“I highly recommend pottery workshops for those who want to de-stress because when you are doing pottery, you have to pay attention to detail and stay focused. This is therapeutic because it eases the ‘pain’ you are experiencing and promotes calmness,” said Oon, who has been the executive director and marketing director of Tenmoku Pottery since 1993.
She says the moulding of clay and pottery creations requires concentration.
“Many depressed people enjoy pottery therapy classes because it will distract them from the issue they are facing.
“In fact, the entire process will slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure. When you start creating the shape of the clay, your mind and body will form a synergy with your surrounding and the universe,” said Oon who was formerly in the marketing line, doing research for Asian-based manufacturers.
It’s no surprise that Oon seems to know a lot about the therapeutic benefits of pottery as she is married to seasoned ceramicist Soo Chow Mean, the founder and managing director of the company.
Soo, a passionate artistic potter and ceramicist, is also the chief designer of the company’s wide range of products.
For Oon, her husband is not only the founder of the company but he is also instrumental for the success of Tenmoku Pottery and what it is today.
“I think my husband is a creative and gifted ceramicist. He nurtured this passion after majoring in interior design at the Malaysian Institute of Art. He later on went to Taiwan to further his studies. He is also good at Chinese brush painting besides being adept at the making of fine ceramics,” said Oon.
Before Soo started Tenmoku in 1989, he did extensive research on materials to be used for his ceramic products and conducted market surveys and made preparations for the business.
From a small beginnings, the company became one of the most successful pottery manufacturers and exporters in Malaysia. And now with Tenmoku Trading Sdn Bhd and Prestige TMP Marketing Sdn Bhd under its wing and a network of local and overseas dealers, Tenmoku Pottery is easily one of the better-known brands in Malaysia.
As a ceramicist, Soo’s paintings and artistic ceramic works have been featured in galleries and shows throughout China, Japan, Singapore, Germany and the UK.
The hallmark of his art is inspired by nature, humanity and life with a touch of poetry and literature and a sense of humour.
Tenmoku Pottery has also won several international awards such as “Excellence in Originality and Design” in UK, “Malaysia Industry Export Excellence Award 2000” from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Malaysian External Trade Corporation and “Fair Price Shop Excellence Award” .
“Tenmoku Pottery was set up because my husband realised that people have acquired a more discerning taste when it comes to pottery and ceramic ware these days.
“Other than the normal usage of pottery ware, people are beginning to appreciate the creativity, eleganceand finesse of ceramics. And that’s what we offer in Tenmoku Pottery,” said Oon who holds a Master’s in Business Administration and has an extensive marketing experience in Malaysia and internationally.
Pottery has been in existence since ancient times and it was mainly used as containers or storage for food, water and other daily requirements.
“Different countries in different regions create different styles of pottery. It all depends on the clay, glaze and firing temperatures used to create the desired results,” said Oon who noticed that Asians prefer bright, boldly coloured ceramics compared to the Europeans who prefer classic, earthy, pastel shades.
The name tenmoku derives from a type of tea bowl produced in China during the Sung Dynasty. Later, tenmoku wares made in Fujian Province were brought to Japan by the shoguns where it was held in great esteem during their reign.
However, today tenmoku is a term used for a type of glaze in the pottery world.
“There are a few types of tenmoku. At Tenmoku Pottery, we use a high-quality tenmoku glaze in all our products. Tenmoku Pottery is a brand name that has been trade-marked in Malaysia as well as over 30 major countries throughout the world.
“The concept of having fossil-like imprints on pottery is the brainchild of Soo and this concept is named ‘a moment in movement’”, said Oon, who was a judge for the Malaysia retail accreditation programme, organised by National Productivity Council and Malaysia’s Retailers Association.
Tenmoku Pottery is famous for its designs. The imprinted surfaces using actual objects such as leaves or branches create realistic finishes that draw one’s emotions, feelings and souls closer to nature.
“Each creation is exclusive in its own right, an art form itself and a collector’s item. The craftsmanship of these pieces is indisputable because the inspiration of the designs derives from nature itself, hence our motto, “Designs inspired by nature”.
Special attention and care is given to each production in Tenmoku Pottery especially in the colouring section, where each item is hand painted and sprayed by skilful workers. High-quality materials with special formulated tenmoku glazes are used to produce high-end products.
Stringent quality control is crucial, from the first step of clay mixing right up to the packaging and delivery. Every detail is scrutinised to ensure the quality products measure up to the customers’ expectations.
There are over 1,000 products under the Tenmoku Pottery brand and they are not only for practical home use. There are also elegant art pieces for decoration and also gift items.
Some of these Tenmoku Pottery products include penholders, coffee sets, bowls and trays, cups and mugs, chopsticks holders, jewellery beads and photo frames.
Other than Tenmoku Pottery designs, the company also takes in custom-made orders and designs for clients.
“We try to accommodate what our customers want by combining our knowledge and expertise and the requirements of the client. This masterpiece can be created exclusively for the client alone. We have more than 30 authorised dealers and retailers throughout Malaysia promoting Tenmoku Pottery,” said Oon, who is also an honorary treasurer of Malaysia Retailers Association.
Tenmoku Pottery is exported to the US, Middle East, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Singapore. The company has outlets located in Suria KLCC and Central Market in Kuala Lumpur, and Genting Skyway, Genting Highlands.
Oon hopes that Tenmoku Pottery will eventually become a global brand, similar to the likes of Wedgwood of the UK.
“We had the chance to visit the Wedgwood factory outlet at Stoke-on-Trent in England, which is famous for its wares and is known as the world capital of ceramics.
“You can also find other leading brands there like Royal Doulton, Emma Bridgewater, Royal Stafford. Though we have a long way to go, we hope we grow Tenmoku Pottery to become a global brand with high quality and stylish products. We are always trying to develop new methods to produce and sell more attractive ceramic goods,” said Oon.
For a ceramics experience, Tenmoku Pottery also conducts factory tours for visitors who want to learn about the skills and craftsmanship of how pottery and ceramics are made.
“We also conduct hands-on workshops for parents and children. Among the activities include factory visits, clay modelling and glazing.
“The participants get to learn more about the characteristics of raw materials and an instructor will share his experience as a sculptor through discussion and clay modelling.
“The workshop will show the role of clay in therapy.
“And at the end of the workshop, the instructor will induce the participants to say their own story through their pieces,” said Oon who is looking into new markets like China and Indonesia for future expansion.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
