Teoh incorporates modern elements with Peranakan-inspired tile designs to give a contemporary look to a historical piece. Photos: Teoh Su Ling
Clay jewellery designer Teoh Su Ling, 33, is a true-blue Penangite who’s proud of her home state, from the local hawker fare to its colonial buildings and sandy beaches. But it is Penang’s Peranakan heritage that genuinely resonates with her.
In particular, Teoh creates clay jewellery pieces – specifically earrings and pendants – with Peranakan tile motifs.
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Peranakan jewellery designs
Teoh incorporates modern elements with Peranakan-inspired tile designs to give a contemporary look to a historical piece. Photos: Teoh Su Ling
Teoh says colours are part of the melody which speaks to her audience, if her designs were a song.
Patterns are sculptured in a square block and sliced equally to ensure symmetrical designs.
— TEOH SU LING
A fair bit of calculation goes into assembling the minute pieces of clay to ensure symmetry.
Ensuring the design ends up as a square with a mirror image in each quarter is part of the jewellery-making process.
The clay jewellery pieces are not painted but carefully sculpted by layering pieces of different coloured clay in a specific orientation.
