When people ask what you get from pottery, you often hear many different answers. Today, Pottery Clay asked this question to Khun Pun - Nattakorn Kanitwaranun, owner of ga.li.go studio, and one of the answers was, "Pottery makes him more optimistic."
"I am closely involved with ceramics, having graduated with a bachelor's degree in Ceramic Design from the Faculty of Architecture and Design, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok. This allowed me to learn and delve deeply into ceramics, realizing that producing one piece of ceramic involves many steps: kneading the clay, shaping the piece, refining details, bisque firing, mixing and testing glazes, applying glaze, and finally glaze firing. Every step requires appropriate timing because even a slight error in any stage can damage or break the piece.
"This led me to understand the impermanence of all things, which is the charm of ceramics—we cannot control everything. We must let it follow its natural course through appropriate timing. This is the origin of the brand name 'ga.li.go,' which comes from the Pali word 'kalika,' meaning 'related to time.' And pottery has made me more mindful, calmer, and more optimistic because while potting, we are happily focused on the clay in our hands, expressing our feelings through the cool clay and our warm hands."
The size of the space may not be as important as the readiness of heart to create.
"I live in a condominium, where the space is not very conducive to ceramic work. But I believe that even if the space isn't ideal, if our hearts are ready to do what we love, we can do it happily anywhere.
"Another thought is that creating a ceramic studio in a condominium is unique and not often seen in our country. So, I see this limitation as something that can be developed into a distinctive feature of the brand, to a greater or lesser extent."
From Zen philosophy to two collections by ga.li.go
"The unique characteristic of ga.li.go's work is the creation of collections, interpreting Zen philosophy according to my understanding and expressing it through the pieces. Currently, there are two collections:
Traces of Time
"Traces of Time involves spontaneously incising patterns in the moment, akin to recording that moment through the marks created. This subtly incorporates the concept of living in the present moment, without embellishment, into the work. And Relating Differences involves combining different types of clay: local earthenware with stoneware, which have different chemical and physical properties. Theoretically, using different types of clay in the same piece can easily lead to cracking.
"I studied the clay bodies and experimented with kneading them until I could combine both types of clay into one. This subtly incorporates the idea that, similar to people who are different, if we accept and find ways to understand each other, we can unite to create beautiful peace.
"For raw materials, I use Celadon clay because it's easy to shape, and I decorate it with iron red oxide, which I purchase from Pottery Clay."
SKUTT in Thailand, through Pottery Clay, is a stroke of luck for Thai potters.
"I researched various equipment and popular high-quality electric kilns and found the SKUTT brand from the United States. Ordering and importing it was quite complicated. Luckily, since my university days, a senior recommended buying equipment from Pottery Clay, which imports SKUTT kilns, making it easier for Thai potters to own them. So I contacted Pottery Clay to go and see the actual product at their store.
"When I arrived at the store, the staff at Pottery Clay were incredibly helpful, friendly, and answered all my questions. Another stroke of luck was that they told me the SKUTT 818 could be used in a condo. And even better, they showed me the Pottery Wheel - 04, which worked well and was convenient, along with other equipment and tools. In the end, I decided to buy everything from Pottery Clay, including clay, sculpting tools, the pottery wheel, and the kiln.
"When the products arrived, I was incredibly happy that the store provided complete installation and usage instructions. The after-sales service was very impressive. For example, when I had questions about the firing program, I called Pottery Clay and always received advice. I would say they have a full range of equipment and truly impressive service at every level."
Many might say that setting up your own studio requires a lot of investment, which is half true because it's an investment at the beginning. But after that, if you choose quality and suitable products from the start, believe me, you'll feel the same way Khun Pun does: "Buy it once and use it for a long time."