[03] To Hold and Be Held Teapot Set by Dawn Kwan

 “One of the first things you get to know about painter and potter Dawn Kwan is how, even before she reached teenagehood, she was already a prolific painter who was mounting solo exhibitions, raising funds for charities through her art, and being copiously profiled on television and the newspapers… Dawn Kwan was well on her way to her first solo exhibition at the ripe old age of nine. 

“The experience that she has under her belt belies her age. […] What we find more compelling is the grit and heart that Dawn puts towards making the artist’s life work for her as a young adult in the world today.”

– “Dawn Kwan: Forging Her Way in the World”, Plural Art Magazine

Artist Dawn Kwan describes her work and creative process:

“My pottery is thrown on the wheel, fired in my modest home studio, and is always changing—much like myself. Each piece is made with the simple, honest intention of sharing beauty.

The process of pottery mirrors the quiet seasons of care and becoming that follow birth—the fourth trimester of life. After great creation comes a time of tending, of learning to live gently in a new form. Each vessel I make reminds me to return to patience, nourishment, and the slow, rhythmic work of hands and heart.

Clay journeys through the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. It is a process both humbling and unpredictable, as any of these forces may cause the clay to slump, shatter, or crack. Yet it is through these trials that the form is strengthened and refined. In this way, the humble ball of earth becomes my teacher—offering lessons in flow, experimentation, surrender, acceptance, and perseverance.

The regenerative nature of clay allows me to begin again and again, even when things break apart. Like the fourth trimester, it is an invitation to nurture what is still forming, to hold imperfection with tenderness, and to trust that beauty can emerge from what once seemed undone.

As you hold or view my work, may you be like the spirit of the earth—grounded and resilient amidst changing conditions. The earth embraces the undergrowth and the blossoms alike; the fungi and the wildflowers all have their place in its cycle. May you too stay rooted and present, and may the seeds you sow continue to grow even in the stormiest seasons.

May these pieces remind you to care for your own becoming—with gentleness, patience, and affection.

From my heart to yours,
Dawn”

Biography:
Dawn Kwan Ning Yu is a multidisciplinary visual artist and art psychotherapist whose practice integrates the creative and therapeutic dimensions of artmaking. Working primarily with painting and sculpture, Dawn views art as both a discipline and a mentor—one that continues to deepen her understanding of the human condition and inspires her commitment to facilitating emotional healing through creativity.

As an art psychotherapist, Dawn adopts a people-centred and insight-oriented psychodynamic approach. Her clinical work focuses on women’s empowerment and addiction rehabilitation, where she supports individuals in cultivating self-awareness, resilience, and compassion. Dawn currently serves as an outpatient addictions counsellor at The Cabin Singapore, where she works closely with individuals navigating recovery and reintegration. Beyond her clinical role, she also conducts private art psychotherapy sessions and facilitates art-based wellness workshops that promote emotional regulation, personal growth, and psychological well-being.

Dawn’s artistic and therapeutic practices are united by a central belief: that creativity is an innate resource for healing, and that art provides a vital language for experiences that transcend words. Through her dual roles as artist and therapist, she seeks to create spaces—whether in the studio or the therapy room—where individuals can rediscover a sense of safety, expression, and inner coherence. Her work reflects a profound respect for the transformative potential of self-expression and the human capacity for renewal.

Beyond her professional practice, Dawn is an active advocate for social causes and community engagement. She has collaborated extensively with charities and foundations to raise funds in support of vulnerable populations, including Vietnam Outreach, The New Charis Mission, National Cancer Institute, Heart Foundation, Kidney Dialysis Foundation, and AWWA. Through her art auctions, she has collectively raised over S$400,000 for these organisations. These philanthropic initiatives underscore her conviction that art can serve as a bridge between individual healing and collective compassion.

To date, Dawn has created more than 400 paintings and held nine major solo exhibitions, with partners such as the Singapore Tourism Board (Beijing), The American Club, Spanish Tourism Office, and Swiss Embassy. Her works are known for their ethereal palettes, organic forms, and themes of transformation and transcendence. Drawing inspiration from nature, mythology, and the inner life, her paintings and sculptural works invite contemplation on growth, loss, and the cyclical nature of renewal.

Dawn’s multidisciplinary practice continues to explore the intersection between art, psychology, and the human spirit. Whether expressed through pigment, clay, or therapeutic dialogue, her work embodies a consistent intention—to honour the complexity of emotion, to restore connection, and to remind others of the quiet resilience that underlies the human experience.

Terms and Conditions:
1. Authenticity and Artist Rights
– The artwork is an original handmade creation by the artist, Dawn Kwan Ning Yu.
– All moral and intellectual property rights remain with the artist.
– The buyer is not permitted to reproduce the work in any form without the artist’s written consent.

2. Condition and Handling
– The teapot set is sold in its existing condition as described and displayed.
Due to the handmade nature of the work, natural variations and imperfections are inherent and intended features of the piece.
– The artist and event organisers are not responsible for any damage occurring after the handover or during transit.

3. Display and Credit
– Should the buyer choose to display or publicise the work, credit to the artist (“Dawn Kwan Ning Yu”) is appreciated.

4. Non-Refundable Sale
– All auction sales are final and non-refundable.