The 29-year-old is following in the footsteps of his father, Mohd Sa’ya Mat Jahari, who has been involved in the industry for over three decades.

“I chose this field because I felt I had no other options. I don’t have any other skills. But in the beginning, I wasn’t particularly passionate about this art,” he shared when met by Bernama recently.

His perspective changed while he was studying ceramic craft at Institut Kraf Negara in Rawang, Selangor. “There, we were taught to produce handmade ceramic products. When I saw the results of my own handiwork, how I shaped a lump of clay into a vase, I felt a sense of pride,” he said.

This, Luqman explained, was the first handmade ceramic product he had created; he had previously used moulds, which were easier and did not require as much skill.

After completing his diploma in 2019, he never looked back. The oldest of three siblings joined his father’s business, Ayas Seramik, in his home state of Perak, and continued to hone his skills by learning from his father and others who have practised the art for many years.

Potential and challenges

According to Luqman, some products, such as small vases and table lamps, are still made with moulds. However, for larger pieces, he relies entirely on handcrafting techniques.

He said creating handmade items such as vases or labu sayong – a traditional water pitcher – requires both skill and meticulous attention to detail.

“The amount of clay used depends on the size of the product. For a medium-sized vase, I need 10kg – 5kg for the base and the rest for extensions. For larger vases, we use two techniques: throwing and pinching.”

Throwing, he explained, involves shaping the clay upwards while pressing it, whereas pinching shapes the clay by squeezing it.

A completed product is dried at room temperature, which takes five to seven hours depending on the weather, followed by firing in a kiln for a further five to eight hours.

For a 1m-tall vase, Luqman uses 70kg of clay and requires four days to complete it. Prices range from RM200 to RM1,500 per item, depending on their size, shape, and decoration.

In a month, he can produce approximately seven large vases, earning between RM7,000 and RM9,000.

“So far, the response has been very good, and most of my customers are art studio operators, colleges, universities, entrepreneurs, as well as local residents and those from outside Perak,” he noted.

The young artisan believes this field has immense potential, as the demand for ceramic craft is not confined to the domestic market. “In fact, these products can go far because Malaysian ceramics have a unique charm, particularly in terms of their intricate decorations and traditional value.

“It is one of the cultural heritages of our country. For example, the labu sayong has a distinctive shape and style that is globally recognised.”

Still, he said, the ceramic-making industry comes with its challenges, namely “the weather, the condition of the clay and, most importantly, the mood or emotions of the craftsman”.

He elaborated: “Emotions need to be stable; otherwise, the product won’t turn out as intended. Ceramic crafting truly requires a high level of patience.”

Asked about his sense of fulfilment in the ceramic business, he said the sweetest moments come from showcasing the results of his hard work and ideas to the public, such as the large vases crafted entirely by hand.

Success and successors

Meanwhile, his father Mohd Sa’ya emphasises the importance of having successors in the ceramic industry to ensure this cultural heritage is preserved and remains relevant through time.

The owner of Ayas Seramik, which has received orders from as far as Saudi Arabia and Canada, shared that younger generations, including his other two children, are not interested in the field.

“It’s challenging to find young successors. I invited several nephews to learn ceramic making, but they didn’t enjoy it,” he shared.

“Back when I was studying in 1988, there were 26 of us in this field, but now, only three remain. That’s why I stress the importance of passion when entering the industry. Your heart and soul must align with this craft.”