Singapore’s most celebrated ceramic artist, Iskandar Jalil, uses local clay and the principles of Japanese aesthetics that embrace the ethical, simple and imperfect, in his art practice. He has potted distinctively varying vessels and forms in his lifelong artistic journey. Beyond his art making lies a set of values and ethos that he has steadfastly adhered to throughout his lifelong dialogue with ceramics.
Iskandar’s works have been exhibited worldwide. His ceramics can be found in the collections of: former President Wee Kim Wee, former US President George Bush, Malaysia’s Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, the Sultan of Brunei, the Governor of Hong Kong, Singapore National Museum, National Museum of Sweden, companies and many private individuals in Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA, Europe, and the Middle East.
This Colombo Plan scholar is a recipient of the Cultural Medallion (Visual Arts) (1988), and Pingat APAD (1998). In 2009, Iskandar was awarded the Berita Harian Achiever Award given by Berita Harian. In 2014, Iskandar received the Japanese Foreign Minister's Commendation award for his contribution to the promotion of Japanese culture in Singapore. In 2015, he was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, from the Emperor of Japan.
