More than 40 years of craftmanship
Since 1976, Cheah Yeow Seng has been working closely with ceramics.
In the hope of bringing the art to the public, he teaches pottery in his studio in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
To express his views and thoughts, he translates them into functional pottery artworks,
incorporating art as a source of inspiration in people's daily lives.
How the passion started
The passion started when Cheah Yeow Seng was in primary school. As part of a school project, he was required to make a face mask out of clay. He and his pals sourced clay from a local brick factory and began creating tiny figurines. His passion and creativity continue to flourish today.
1976
Coming to Kuala Lumpur
To continue his post-secondary education, Cheah Yeow Seng came to Kuala Lumpur from Sungai Petani, Kedah. While still studying, he helped out at Kuala Lumpur College of Art (KLCA) in Subang doing ceramic production works.
During then, he was pursuing his Diploma in Accounting. However, at that time, he knew that all he wanted was to pursue a ceramics course - which his Asian parents deemed a career that 'does not make much'. He worked in accountancy for 2 years before deciding that it was not for him and made a big decision to pursue the art of ceramics.
1979
A leap of faith
Cheah Yeow Seng started pursuing a ceramics course in 1979 and graduated from Kuala Lumpur College of Art (KLCA) in 1984. From 1985, he taught students as a pottery assistant and then moved on to being a ceramic lecturer in KLCA. Since then, he has created hundreds of artisan pottery pieces and has had many exhibitions both locally and internationally.
Portfolio
2000
Opening his own studio
When KLCA moved to a new location, pottery was not part of the syllabus because it was thought to be on the dirtier side. To continue making the art of pottery accessible, Cheah Yeow Seng founded his own pottery studio in the year 2000.
"I named my studio 'A Touch of Clay' because I want people to touch and feel the clay."
The philosophy behind his teaching
There is no right or wrong when it comes to art. In his classes, students are taught the techniques in creating while the final shape is up to students to explore and discover. Want to make a square-shaped cup, star-shaped bento box or even a cat-shaped jug? Have a go! Creativity is highly encouraged here at A Touch of Clay.
Functional artworks for purchase
Free delivery above RM180
Interview with FMT Lifestyle
Interview with BFM radio station
'An Encounter with Clay'
Mini exhibition at Cite Bookstore, August 2022
List of exhibitions
2024
Gaya Riang Raya: Experiential Tunnel's Featured Artist
Sunway Putra Mall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2023
Cheah Yeow Seng's Teacher-Student Exhibition
Cite Book Garden, Sri Petaling, Malaysia
2023
Sasaran International Art Workshop
Sasaran, Malaysia
2023
Tri-coloured Glazed Pottery of the Qiong Lai Art Exhibition
Qionglai, Chengdu, China
2023
Potheads Pottery Market
St Jo's Building, Gurney Paragon, Penang
Malaysia
2023
'Between Mud and Fire'
The 11th China Changchun International Ceramics Symposium & the 2023 Lianhuashan Ceramic Art Creation Camp
Changchun, China
2023
SYMPHONY 2023 Art Exhibition
Galeri Prima, Malaysia
2023
Expedition of Fire: A Ceramic Art Exhibition
Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai, Malaysia
2022
The Five Elements: A Handicraft Fair
GMBB KL, Malaysia
2022
Harmony International Ceramic Friendship Exhibition
Geosan, South Korea
2022
Malaysia & Korea Art Exhibition
Celebration of Harmony Through Arts
Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai, Malaysia
2022
Mini solo exhibition
Cite Bookstore, Sri Petaling, Malaysia
2019
Raku International Sculpture Exhibition
Silpakorn University, Phetchaburi Gallery
Thailand
2019
Harmony International Ceramic Friendship Exhibition
Geosan, Korea
2019
Thaihang Gallery Exhibition
Shanxi, China
2019
Malaysia-Korea-Brunei Contemporary Art Exhibition
2019
Sasaran Art Gallery
Selangor, Malaysia
2018
Harmony International Ceramic Friendship Festival Exhibition
Korea
2018
Malaysia International Contemporary Art Biennale Exhibition
2018
Top Art Gallery
Klang, Malaysia
2018
Guiling International Wood Kiln Firing Exhibition
Guilin Tourism University
Guangxi, China
2018
KLCA Alumni Group Art Exhibition 2.0
White Box@Publika, Kuala Lumpur
2017
Harmony International Ceramic Friendship Exhibition
Geosan, South Korea
2017
My Clay Soul Solo Exhibition at Soka Exhibition Hall, Wisma SGM,
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2017
Yu Yao International Ceramics & Pottery Exhibition
Qingdao, China
2017
Sasaran International Art festival Exhibition
Sasaran Art Gallery, Malaysia
2016
Harmony International Friendship Exhibition
Seoul, Korea
2016
Khajiharo Art Mart Exhibition, India
2016
Sanamchadra Art Gallery, Thailand
2016
Selsius 2016 7th International Ceramic Festival
National visual Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur
2016
Ceramic Studio 2016
Seri Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur
2016
KKB International Art Festival KKB Library
Kuala Kubu Bahru, Selangor
2015
Yuyao Gallery
Qingdao, China
2015
Icheong 2015 International Inter-local Ceramic Workshop
Korea
2014
Sasaran International Art Festival Exhibition
Sasaran, Selangor, Malaysia
2014
Nami Island International Pottery Exhibition
Korea
2014
The 5th Selsius - USM International Ceramic Festival Exhibition
Penang, Malaysia
2012, 2013 & 2014
Art Expo Matrade Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
2012 & 2013
Two Man Ceramics Show
Bonton Gallery, Penang, Malaysia
2012
Clay Unity, Dao Artspace
Xian, Shaanxi, China
2012
South East Asia Conference Clay Unity
Fupin, China
2012
National Craft Day 2012
Jalan Conlay, Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
2011
National Craft Day 2011
Bangunan Kraf Tangan Negara
Jalan Conlay,Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
2010
One Malaysia Ceramic Exhibition
Bangunan Kraf tangan Negara
Jalan Conlay,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2009
WHAMPOA ARTS Station Ceramic Exhibition
The Plaza, National Library
Singapore
2009
“The Ring of Fire”
Ayala Museum
Philippine
2008
Ceramics Exhibition
Kanayama Yaki
Aomori, Japan
2007
International Contemporary Ceramic Exhibition
National Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2006
Selsius Exhibition
Putrajaya Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2006
Selsius Exhibition
University Science Malaysia Art Gallery
Penang, Malaysia
2006
Group Exhibition at INAX
Tokoname, Japan
2003 & 2005
Pottery Emotions Exhibition
Kraft Tangan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2000 to 2008
Touch of Clay Instructor-Students Exhibition
Badan Warisan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1999
KLCA Pottery Instructor-Students Exhibition
Isetan Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1997
KLCA Pottery Instructor-Students Exhibition
Sogo Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1997
Visi Seni Ceramic Exhibition
Bank Negara (National Bank)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1996
Malaysian-Japan Ceramic Artisan Exhibition
Japan Cultural Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1996
Reflective Kaleidoscope Exhibition
Putra World Trade Centre
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1995
Ceramic Fine Art Exhibition
Nanyang Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1988
KLCA Alumni Art Show
Australian High Commission
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1988
Wicitra ’86 Infocraft
National Craft Museum
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1986
Contemporary British Malaysia Art Show
National Art Gallery
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia