‘Earthworks’ takes modern ceramic aesthetics into the fine arts domain

Capturing emotion: Tan with part of his work Portrait 2014, local stoneway clay, 1200 celcius in oxidation, 26cm x 20 cm x 24 cm, (2014)

You might be tempted to have a sumptuous dinner upon visiting the Earthworks exhibition at Galeri Petronas, Kuala Lumpur. After all, this place seems to have plenty of delicious treats on offer: plates of seafood served under glass cases in one room, baskets of juicy-looking sliced coconuts, even bottles of orange soda in the next room to wash these flavours down.

But examine things a little closer and you’ll be disappointed – but also pleasantly surprised. Every tantalising food stuff is a ceramic sculpture, crafted with such detail they can almost pass off as what they are mimicking. Such is Earthworks, an exhibition that challenges the limits of ceramic, featuring works that incorporate traditional techniques and aesthetics into the production of modern art.