[12] The Dancing Cups (Gold Series) by Agnes Lim

“Agnes Lim is a celebrated ceramic artist known for her innovative approach to porcelain, consistently pushing the boundaries of the medium with each piece she creates.”

Mulan Gallery, Contemporary Fine Art

“Through her travels and the nature that surrounds us, she seeks inspiration in the simplicity of everyday life. Kinstugi, the art or repair, is adopted to give artworks a breath of new life.”

“In Her Element: Agnes Lim” by GINLEE Studio

The Dancing Cups (Gold Series) handcrafted by artist Agnes Lim specially for Checkpoint Theatre’s fundraiser, is inspired by the notion of great company, friendship, kinship and acquaintanceship. She feels The Dancing Cups resonate strongly with Checkpoint Theatre’s dedication to performance, artistry, meaningful relationships with our collaborators and our heart for storytelling. Each piece is painterly glazed and unique on its own.
Agnes Lim describes her work and creative process:

“Each piece is painterly glazed, with artful brushstrokes and layered glazes that create a sense of depth and movement, much like a hand-painted artwork. As the glazing process is done individually and fired in a reduction environment, the finished creations have subtle variations in tone, texture, and pattern, ensuring that no two pieces are ever the same; making each one a distinct expression of craftsmanship. And yet, within this individuality, we discover a shared language—one that allows us to come together and build a community in harmony.”

This series carries a performative quality in its very form — the “dancing” rhythm of the cups reflects movement, exchange, and communion, which she believes parallels the essence of theatre as both a shared and transformative experience.

By design, the pieces are not static; they invite interpretation, much like a performance invites its audience into a dialogue.

In creating this series, Agnes carefully incorporated a layer of 24k gold gilding onto the exterior of the cups. This choice was made to highlight not only the preciousness of the objects but also the value of the act of giving — echoing the generosity and collective energy that a charity auction embodies. The gold surface interacts with light much like stage design does, imbuing the work with a sense of presence and illumination.

Biography:
Agnes Lim’s approach to ceramics is profoundly shaped by her apprenticeship with renowned ceramist and Cultural Medallion winner Dr. Iskandar Jalil. Her pieces showcase the disciplined precision she inherited from Dr. Iskandar Jalil, as each vessel is meticulously crafted with close attention to material and method, then fired under high temperatures in a reduction atmosphere. Within this rigour, her individuality and unique style in ceramics flourish.

What distinguishes her practice is her formulation of the turquoise glaze. She has not merely adopted but crafted a satin, stone-like turquoise glaze that serves as her signature. This glaze adds a vibrant richness to her work and demonstrates her technical confidence. Her works are often layered, painterly with subtle oxides and translucent effect, transforming porcelain into luminous, tactile landscapes.

One other unique aspect of her work is the adaptation of the Kintsugi technique. She integrates delicate trails of 24K gold leaf directly onto her ceramics, creating naturally appealing golden seams in the finished pieces. This approach makes her work both rustic and timeless, embodying a quiet sense of regeneration and celebration. The gold surfaces, bonded through refined craft, become enduring enhancements rather than mere repairs.

Her work stands as a meditation on the beauty found in the process. The marks of the hand, the unique sheen of the glaze, and the luminous gold—all elements that reflect her inquiry and personal expression—are integral to her artistic vision. She has been commissioned by both institutions and private organisations, including the Public Utilities Board and Temasek Culinary Academy. As well as a finalist of the 2016 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale.

Specifications:
– Year: 2025
– Medium: Porcelain, wheel-thrown
– Dimensions: H 85 by ø 85 mm (with +/- 3mm variation)
– Set of 4, packed in a Pine-wood gift box
– Gas reduction firing to 1310ºC
– Gilded with 24K gold leaf, glazed with matt-satin glaze overall.
– External is painterly glazed with satin matt, barium base glaze and matt crackle.
– Food safe and functional.