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THREE CREATIVES IN SINGAPORE CERAMIC ARTIST GARIMA MITTAL, FURNITURE DESIGNER FAEZAH SHAHARUDDIN, AND RATTAN CRAFTSPERSON SI YING NG SHARE WITH US HOW THEY PERFECT THEIR MÉTIERS, AND HOW ART AND DESIGN NURTURE THEM IN RETURN

-  ZARA ZHUANG

GARIMA MITTAL 

Formerly a fashion and textile designer, Garima Mittal launched Facets by Garima to explore her passion for ceramic art objects, tableware and jewellery. "I tried learning wheel throwing on and off for a few years during and after university, but I never imagined myself to be where I am today," she recounts. "There is something truly magical about having an idea and transforming it into a functional piece of art."

Crafting pottery provides balm for difficult moments, Mittal adds, so much so that she is interested in pursuing qualifications in art therapy, with clay as her medium of practice. "Working on the wheel or just hand building something helps me calm down whenever I feel anxious," she explains. "Pottery is a slow process, and no matter how hard you try to rush things, it needs and takes its time. This has made me realise that it's OK to slow down sometimes and let life happen at its own pace."

How does the experience of creating ceramics compare with fashion and textile design?

Textile and fashion is a fast-paced industry with ever-changing seasons and collections. Keeping up with the latest trends is what the industry thrives on, and that sometimes feels restrictive in terms of experimentation. Creating ceramics for me has been an entirely different experience, because it's not just about the latest trends. There is a lot more freedom to experiment and create something unique. Even though translating your thoughts into objects is a more stressful process in ceramics, I do find it extremely calming and rewarding.

What designs or styles are you fascinated with?