Stories Ceramics: Reviving Thai Craftsmanship

Words by: Tanya Singh, Khun Pat, and Pomme Chan
Photo Credit: Stories Ceramics

 

Stories Ceramics produces beautiful homeware that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. 

 

 

Co-owned by renowned Bangkok artist and illustrator, Pomme Chan, and Khun Pat, Stories Ceramics produces fine, delicately designed ceramic pieces. The duo works with local artisans to create astonishingly beautiful pieces that are an ode to the traditional technique and craftsmanship while being completely at home in a contemporary market. We spoke to the founders to know more about them and their passion for the Thai craft.

 

Could you tell us a little bit about your background?

 

KP: I studied marketing and international business in the USA. Upon returning to Thailand, I built a career in finance and business. However, I always maintained a love for art, especially from my home country. Stories Ceramics gives me the opportunity to bring my skillset to the table for something I am passionate about.

PC: I actually studied interior design for my undergraduate studies before enrolling for a foundation course at the London School of Communications. I started my career as a freelance illustrator in London and continued on that path until 2014 when I moved back to Bangkok to open my own studio. We started Stories Ceramics in 2016 and went onto also build a home décor and wallpaper brand, Swoon Space, in 2021.

 

 

Tell us the Stories Ceramics story? How did it all begin?

 

KP: Stories Ceramics started with a shared passion rather than as a business. The traditional Thai art of hand-painting ceramics and other decorative objects has seen a decline in the last few years. The artisans are getting older and their children are moving on to more profitable trades. We wanted to revive the craft by creating objects that add cultural value to people’s homes.

PC: When I decided to uproot my life and move back to Bangkok, the moving process brought me face to face with boxes full of plates that I had collected for years and years during my time in London. Those were very valuable to me and I couldn’t get myself to get rid of them at any cost. When Stories Ceramics was started, my huge collection of plates became the inspiration. I decided I wanted to create plates with my own signature on it, so that some day other people may treasure them, as I had mine for so many years.

 

The Birds of Longevity Set by Stories Ceramics.

 

What was the motivation behind working with local artisans?

 

KP: It was a conscious design to always keep collaborating with other designers and artisans. We didn’t want Stories Ceramics to be exclusively creating products designed by Pomme, but wanted to create a platform for other designers and artisans to continue drawing inspiration from and keeping our traditional crafts alive.

PC: I have always had a space in my heart for Thai ceramics. Upon my return to Bangkok, I decided to visit workshops and learn how the artisans create such exquisite pieces. It is not an easy task and so much more difficult than creating art on paper or canvas. It takes time, years of practice, and the ability to surrender control to the artwork. On my journey into this world, I also came into contact with many craftsmen that told me that the next generation in their family was not interested in continuing the craft or business. I realized that this precious art was fast diminishing and knew instantly that I needed to do something about it.

 

What inspires you as a designer?

 

PC: I have new ideas everyday – from the music I listen to, the city I live in, movies I watch, and the daily experiences I have. I am someone who is easily excited about the smallest of things and a lot of the time, I go about my day just sketching ideas based on things that caught my attention. I will never get bored of having new ideas. I think the difficult part is finding the time to execute all of them!

 

The Chinese Zodiac Gold Plate (Set of 12) by Stories Ceramics.

 

How do you balance working with a time-consuming traditional technique with the needs of the market?

 

KP: We have two types of products – ones that are created using traditional techniques and by older artisans and other more experimental products that make use of the technological advancements the industry has made. In addition to that, we also do a lot of customized works, working with companies to integrate their branding onto homeware objects.

PC: The business side of things is a delicate balance between continuing to create awareness about traditional techniques while also evolving to ensure that we can satisfy the commercial demands of the market today. We work with artisans closely to educate them about newer and faster methods of production while ensuring that the old art and craftsmanship is retained.