If you ever had your heritage structure adaptively reused, whether as a restaurant, café, boutique hotel, bed and breakfast, or heritage museum, consider adding an exhibition space that tells the story about the original structure. I recently dined at an adaptively reused restaurant-café in Manila. As an exhibit curator for the past decade, I instinctively […]
Pim Sudhikam: Exploring Life’s Complexities Through Ceramics at EMERGE
Pim Sudhikam, a Bangkok-based ceramic artist and industrial designer, makes her debut at Singapore Design Week’s EMERGE, an exhibition curated by Suzy Annetta that brings together Southeast Asia’s creative talents. With a career spanning decades, Pim’s participation in the event is a milestone, showcasing her unique artistic voice shaped by a deep connection to the ceramic medium.
A Designer-Maker Philosophy
Born and raised in Bangkok, Pim’s design journey began in industrial design, with a strong emphasis on process and material exploration. “I believe in working directly with the material,” she shares. After completing her undergraduate degree in industrial design, Pim’s interest in ceramics deepened, leading her to further her studies in Sweden, where she majored in ceramics and explored the intersection of art and craft.
Unlike many designers who focus solely on form and function, Pim fully immerses herself in the hands-on process of creation. “I’m not just a designer; I’m also a maker,” she says. This philosophy is central to her practice, as she believes that ideas evolve through making. Her approach ensures that each piece is infused with a personal connection to the material, allowing her to communicate emotions and abstract concepts through her work.
Pim’s extensive experience in ceramics, both as a practitioner and educator, also informs her teaching career. In addition to running her own studio, she teaches industrial design with a focus on ceramics at a university in Bangkok. By nurturing the next generation of designers, she continues to shape the future of Thai craftsmanship while pushing the boundaries of her own creative practice.
“Petrified Knots”: A Metaphor for Life’s Complexities
For Singapore Design Week’s EMERGE, Pim Sudhikam presents a new installation titled Petrified Knots. The work consists of intricate ceramic knots, meticulously crafted to look like they could be untied, but instead, they are solidified into a permanent form. This juxtaposition between flexibility and rigidity is central to the narrative Pim seeks to convey.
“When you see the knots, they appear simple, like something you could untangle,” she explains. “But because they’re made of clay, they harden into an unchangeable form, representing problems that seem easy to solve but are, in reality, insurmountable.” Pim’s work is not just an exploration of material but also a profound reflection on human experience—the permanence of certain struggles and the tension between perceived simplicity and actual complexity.
The technical process behind Petrified Knots is just as intricate as its conceptual underpinnings. Pim’s mastery of porcelain allows her to manipulate the delicate material into complex forms. However, this process is not without challenges. “It’s difficult to get the clay into the right shape, and it breaks easily during the process,” she admits. But through persistence and experimentation, she has honed her craft to create pieces that encapsulate both fragility and resilience.
An Advocate for Southeast Asian Design
Pim’s participation in EMERGE marks a pivotal moment in her career, as she showcases her work at an international event for the first time. “It’s a very high-level event, and I feel proud and grateful to be included,” she says. The exhibition is a chance for Pim to connect with fellow Southeast Asian designers and artists, many of whom she admires. “I think it’s about time that design shines a light on our region,” she adds, underscoring the growing recognition of Southeast Asia’s creative talent on the global stage.
As a designer from Thailand, Pim is keenly aware of the unique position she holds within the global design community. She speaks passionately about the design landscape in her country, describing it as “young and vibrant,” with an increasing number of emerging designers making their mark. In her role as both an artist and educator, Pim plays a vital role in fostering this creative growth, mentoring young designers and pushing the boundaries of Thai craftsmanship.
Her advice to up-and-coming designers is simple yet profound: “Keep pushing.” Pim believes that persistence is key, especially in a world where young creatives are more connected and capable of reaching global audiences. “There are so many opportunities now,” she says, “so just keep pushing, and it will come to you.”
A Continued Exploration of Craft and Material
As Pim Sudhikam steps into the international spotlight at Singapore Design Week, her work continues to evolve, but her philosophy remains consistent. At the heart of her practice is an unwavering belief in the power of material to convey thought, emotion, and narrative. Whether creating small-scale pottery, large public installations, or conceptual wall sculptures, Pim’s work pushes the boundaries of what ceramics can express.
Her participation in EMERGE is not just a career highlight but a testament to her dedication to craftsmanship and her ability to turn abstract ideas into tactile, tangible forms. In Petrified Knots, she offers viewers a moment of pause—to reflect on the complexities of life and the beauty that emerges from resilience and persistence.
As Southeast Asian design continues to gain recognition on the global stage, Pim Sudhikam stands as a key figure in this movement, using her craft to tell stories that resonate far beyond her home country of Thailand.
Photos Courtesy of Pim Sudhikam
Read more: Emerging Talents at FIND – Design Fair Asia 2024
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