Thow Kwang Pottery Studio

Founded in 1965 by Tan Kim Seh, Thow Kwang started off as a small cottage industry. Initially, it produced glazed pottery cups for nearby rubber plantations, used in the collection of natural rubber. Thow Kwang also met the demands of the local consumer market by manufacturing water jars, which were utilised for bathwater storage. In the 1970s, when Singapore’s domestic economy changed to favour the growth of orchid farms, Thow Kwang adapted to new market demands by increasing its production of pots in various shapes and sizes. it is a rich history that illuminates just how much Thow Kwang – and perhaps even the entire ceramic production industry – has been an active and efficacious contributor to Singapore’s economy.

For the past 15 years, Thow Kwang has been actively promoting a better awareness and understanding of pottery and the art of wood-firing. By conducting educational tours and pottery workshops for schools and the general public, we hope to enhance the appreciation for the traditional art of porcelain and wood-fired ceramics in our country, and to contribute to a deeper engagement with the arts and culture in everyone’s daily lives.