Thailand, Isan Pottery, Nong Khai
Isan Pottery is located 7kms south of Nongkhai, Thailand, in the grounds of the Village Vocational Training Centre. The project began in response to the needs of village youth. Faced with few employment prospects, many were leaving the villages for the cities in search of work. Instead they often became involved in dangerous or degrading activities. Through Isan Pottery young men and women have been provided with a skill, which will enable them to earn a living. Pottery was selected because traditionally it has been carried out in the Isan region for centuries. The raw materials are easily accessible and the trainees have a natural creative talent so the project has proved to be most successful. Three of the trainees have had the opportunity to receive further tuition at the centre of pottery making at Lampang, in the north of Thailand.
Here they learned new techniques and on returning to the project, were able to impart the knowledge received, to others. One valuable lesson from this exposure to other methods and other samples of pottery, was to boost their pride in the unique and high quality of the Isan designs. New techniques have been applied with pleasing results even though the process of producing a piece is more involved. Sanding the pieces during the painting process, layering the colours and increasing the array of shapes, designs and purpose of the finished product, have all enhanced the final results.
The project participants have grown in confidence and are now producing much larger pieces. There is a need now to purchase of a new, smaller kiln which is necessary for the increased orders and as a back-up if the original kiln requires maintenance. Each November in Bangkok, the British Embassy holds its annual Fair. In 2000, Isan Pottery was well received by the public and drew much interest.
