While many of his peers choose unemployment or join the gig economy due to limited options that match their qualifications or interests, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim Mohd Sa'ya has staked his future in ceramic craftsmanship.
Recognising that he lacked other skills, the 29-year-old decided to focus on creating ceramic products, following in the footsteps of his father, Mohd Sa'ya Mat Jahari, who has been involved in the industry for over three decades.
“I chose this field because I felt I had no other options. I didn’t have any other skills. So, in the beginning, I wasn’t particularly passionate about this art,” he said when met by Bernama recently.
However, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim, originally from Kuala Kangsar, Perak, shared that his perspective changed during his studies in ceramic craft at the Institut Kraf Negara (IKN) in Rawang, Selangor.
“There, we were taught to produce handmade ceramic products. When I saw the craft that resulted from my own hands, how I shaped a lump of clay into a vase, a sense of pride emerged,” he said.
He explained that this craft was the first handmade ceramic product he created, as before this, he used moulds, which were easier and did not require as much skill.
KNEADING CLAY BY HAND
Elaborating further, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim shared that after completing his diploma in 2019, he never looked back.
As the eldest of three siblings, he joined his father’s ceramic business, Ayas Seramik, in Perak.
“To improve my skills in this field, I learned from my father and others who have been in this art for many years,” he said.
pic-3
Without witnessing the process of crafting ceramic items such as vases or other containers, including labu sayong (a traditional water pitcher), one might assume that it is not difficult to produce.
In reality, however, it’s quite the opposite, as creating these handmade items requires both skill and meticulous attention to detail.
Sharing insights into ceramic crafting, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim said some products, such as small vases and table lamps, are made using moulds. However, for larger pieces, he relies entirely on handcrafting techniques.
“The amount of clay used depends on the size of the product. For a medium-sized vase, I need 10 kilogrammes (kg) of clay—5 kg for the base and the rest for extensions. For larger vases, we use two techniques: throwing and pinching,” he explained.
(Throwing involves shaping the clay upwards while pressing it, whereas pinching shapes the clay by squeezing it.)
“First, we knead the clay for the base. The kneaded clay is placed on a rotating potter’s wheel, where we shape it into the base. We use a centering technique by creating a hole in the centre of the clay with our fingers and then gradually widening it to about 20 centimetres.
“Next, using the throwing technique, we raise the walls of the base,” he said, adding that throughout this process, both the clay and hands need to be moistened frequently.
“After completing the base, we knead the clay for the extensions. The clay is shaped into long strips resembling keropok lekor (a type of traditional fish cracker) and then coiled onto the base. Using the pinching method, we attach the coiled clay to the base and then, with the throwing technique, we raise the walls or sides further,” he explained.
This process is repeated until the vase is fully formed. The vase is then dried at room temperature, which takes about five to seven hours depending on the weather, followed by firing in a kiln for five to eight hours.
GREAT POTENTIAL
Muhammad Luqman NulHakim shared that for a three-foot-tall vase, he uses 70 kg of clay and requires four days to complete it, while a two-foot-tall vase takes about two days.
In a month, he can produce approximately seven large vases, earning between RM7,000 and RM9,000.
“The prices of the products range from RM200 to RM1,500 depending on their size, shape, and decoration. So far, the response has been very good, and most of the customers who place orders are art studio operators, colleges, universities, entrepreneurs, local residents, as well as those from outside Perak,” he said, adding that he also offers lorry rental services for orders from other areas.
The young artisan believes that this field has immense potential, as the demand for ceramic craft is not confined to the domestic market alone.
“In fact, these products can go far because Malaysian ceramics have a unique charm, particularly in terms of their intricate decorations and traditional value.
“It is one of the cultural heritages in our country. For example, labu sayong… just mention it, and the world recognises the uniquely classic and distinctive shape of labu sayong,” he said.
EMOTIONS AND CHALLENGES
However, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim acknowledged that the ceramic-making industry has its own challenges, including weather and emotions.
“The main challenges in producing ceramic products are the weather, the condition of the clay, and most importantly, the mood or emotions of the craftsman. Emotions need to be stable; otherwise, the product won’t turn out as intended. Ceramic crafting truly requires a high level of patience,” he said.
pic-4
He added that to ensure the product is in good condition, the craftsman must first detect any air pockets in the clay to prevent defects in the final product.
“It’s crucial to make sure there is no air in the clay. There are two methods to detect air pockets. The first is during the kneading process—cut slices of the kneaded clay to check for any air bubbles.
“The second is during the throwing technique; air bubbles may appear inside the product. If there is air trapped in the product, small explosions can occur in those areas during the firing process, which will damage the vase,” he explained.
When asked about his sense of fulfilment in the ceramic business, he said the sweetest moments come from showcasing the results of his hard work and ideas to the public, such as the large vases crafted entirely by hand.
“Many people out there assume that large items or products like these are made using machines or moulds, but they are actually created manually with the strength of two hands blessed by God. It’s even more satisfying to see my work ‘travel’ to various places,” he said.
Nevertheless, Muhammad Luqman NulHakim is not resting on his laurels. Instead, he aims to continue learning to ensure the quality of his handmade creations is preserved.
NEED FOR SUCCESSORS
Meanwhile, Mohd Sa’ya emphasised the importance of having successors in the ceramic industry to ensure this cultural heritage is preserved and remains relevant through time.
The owner of Ayas Seramik admitted that younger generations, including his other two children, are not interested in the field.
pic-2
“It’s quite challenging to find young successors. I invited several nephews to come and learn ceramic-making, but they couldn’t do it because they didn’t enjoy it. Back when I was studying in 1988, there were 26 of us in this field, but now, only three remain.
“That’s why I stress the importance of passion when entering the ceramic-making industry. The main challenge is that your heart and soul must align with this craft. If it’s just about earning money, you won’t get far,” he said.
When asked about the features of craft that attract buyers, he said that in addition to quality, surface decorations play a significant role in captivating customers.
“Among the popular motifs are intricate lace-like patterns, with each engraving done by hand. Every product must meet the customer’s preferences—it can’t be made carelessly. We need to be skilled at understanding customer demands, and the products must keep up with modern trends,” he explained.
Over his more than 30 years in the ceramic business, Ayas Seramik’s products have received orders from both domestic and international markets, including Saudi Arabia and Canada.
Translated by Salbiah Said
BERNAMA provides up-to-date authentic and comprehensive news and information which are disseminated via BERNAMA Wires; www.bernama.com; BERNAMA TV on Astro 502, unifi TV 631 and MYTV 121 channels and BERNAMA Radio on FM93.9 (Klang Valley), FM107.5 (Johor Bahru), FM107.9 (Kota Kinabalu) and FM100.9 (Kuching) frequencies.
Follow us on social media :
Facebook : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatv, @bernamaradio
Twitter : @bernama.com, @BernamaTV, @bernamaradio
Instagram : @bernamaofficial, @bernamatvofficial, @bernamaradioofficial
TikTok : @bernamaofficial
