Introducing the Mud Rockers. Mud Rock is a ceramic studio based in Singapore founded by ceramics artists, Ng Seok Har and Michelle Lim, who have been practicing ceramics professionally for over 14 years. Their love and passion for ceramics is profound, where they find a never ending joy in making, exploring and serving with clay. We visited their craft studio and were in awe with their beautiful handmade ceramic works, with each piece unique on its own. Check out their interview below as we uncover their inspirations and thoughts on Muji wear!
Seok Har: Driven by a lifelong love for the arts, Seok left the banking industry to reinvest and develop her skills in ceramics making. Today, Seok is a full-time potter in Mud Rock, and has exhibited locally and internationally as well.
Michelle: As a professional ceramicist, crafts person and maker, Michelle has been an industrial designer and educator of youth at risk, for which she has received awards, and has exhibited in several local and international solo and group ceramic shows.
Being a ceramic artist, what are your can’t-live-without craft essentials?
After working with this medium for so many years, the only thing I can’t live without is clay itself. All the other tools and gadgets can be substituted; we have learnt to be self-sufficient.
Even a kiln we can make from scratch. So it is mostly curiosity and an open mind that is really essential to all artists.
How do you look for inspirations in your creativity and craftwork?
By living in the moment and observing not just the physical/natural world but also emotions and the unseen in society. Most of our work created in Mud Rock is born out of a reaction, a desire to express what we have observed in our culture.
We live in such a mass-produced, buy-it-now society where everything is either a click or a short drive away. What is the mantra you live by when making things by hand?
Not sure if it is a mantra, but we do strongly believe that the little things in our daily lives make a difference to the quality of living. So, we pay attention to the little things such as texture, material, and quirks that would not be possible when mass-produced in factories.
What is the most interesting ceramic ware you’ve created?
For a long time to come, it will have to be the tea set for Queen Elizabeth the second’s 90th birthday that was commissioned by our President. Not just because of who it was for, but also the concept itself, the intricate carvings and innovation of the tea set.
What is your favourite thing to do other than crafting?
We love nature, that includes animals. Taking a run or stroll in nature parks, diving or kayaking in the open waters.
We are spotting the cute white dog dancing together with Michelle in the photos, would you tell us a little about buddy?
Buddy is our studio dog that has a very serious role, he is our PR manager and therapy dog.
We adopted him in 2019 from VFA, a shelter that takes in ex-breeding dogs to rehome. He was one of the survivors of distemper virus that killed 95% of the puppies in the puppy mill, and since surviving he developed a neurological disorder with a twitch that he can’t control. Other than that he is perfect, calm and a real friend to everyone that enters the studio. He greets all our customers warmly, and for nervous students, he will sit by them or lie under their wheel. On our days off, Buddy follows me on my roller blading or kayaking adventures.
You spend most of your time crafting at the studio. As your work environment gets warm, do you think the material of your clothes is important?
Definitely! That is literally the question we ask ourselves everyday as we get ready to work, hence, the material and length of our clothes are very practical for that reason.
Understand that ceramic craft sometimes require labour work, do you find yourself wearing more clothes that are sturdy, durable and comfortable?
For sure. In fact, we always end up wearing the same pieces’ every time because it fits all those criteria. Needless to say they come from Muji.
Is there a favourite garment materials you always go for, and could you tell us why?
Seok loves linen and I love my cotton tees. For me it is the comfort and softness in the cotton material, and for Seok linen is because of the light and breathable material.
You wore Jersey Knit T-shirt that has the just-right thickness, how do you feel about its material?
It had the right weight to feel comfortable and the softness that I love.
How do you feel about the styling? Do you see yourself wearing more of it?
Yes! I really liked the tucked in style with the Muji pants (that were so loose and airy too) it was like a casual but clean look.
Anything you would like to tell the readers?
For Muji clothes shopping? Once you like a pair, buy a few of them even if they are in a different color because when you get the most important part of your work day settled which is being comfortably dressed, then the rest of the day is yours to seize and create.