Adil Abdul Ghani, the visionary behind RAAQUU Ceramic Art, has seamlessly blended ancient Japanese pottery traditions with contemporary aesthetics to carve a niche in the world of ceramic art. Inspired by the Raku firing technique, Adil embarked on a 15-year journey to master the art, leading to the establishment of RAAQUU in 2020, with a mission to make Raku ceramics more accessible globally.
The Raku firing technique, originating from the ancient Japanese tea ceremony, involves removing red-hot ceramic pieces from the kiln and placing them in a reduction chamber filled with combustible materials like sawdust or paper. Adil explains, “Raku ceramics are special because of the unpredictability of its firing technique. Just like our tagline, ‘Painted By Fire’…each piece is a unique work of art with its own story to tell.”
Painted By Fire
RAAQUU’s success has been remarkable, with its five distinct finishes – full-copper matte, half-copper matte, smoked, carbon half-copper matte, and obvara – gaining popularity both locally and internationally. In 2022, the brand achieved unprecedented sales, surpassing RM1 million, attracting attention from collectors and art enthusiasts worldwide.
Adil emphasizes the uniqueness of each ceramic piece, stating, “This makes each piece a coveted collector’s item.” The brand’s range includes miniature vases, experimental sculptural pottery from the Life Magnified collection, and other contemporary and functional home decoration products, all crafted at RAAQUU’s operations base in Ara Damansara.
Crafting uniqueness
Ethically sourced raw materials, primarily clays from Mukim Sayong in Perak, enhance the brand’s connection to local craftsmanship. Adil remarks, “The merge between the historical elements of Malaysia and Japan has taken RAAQUU to another level of distinction and gravitas.”
As RAAQUU prepares for its first solo exhibition in mid-January 2024, Adil shares his excitement, “We hope to show at least 20 large-scale sculptural pieces that have never been seen, and we will also be introducing our accessory items too.” He envisions collaborations with designers from various disciplines and is eager to explore partnerships, especially in the retail industry.
With global shipping to 32 countries, RAAQUU’s products are available online via www.raaquu.com and platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and Patreon. Adil encourages art enthusiasts to follow RAAQUU on social media platforms Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube for the latest updates and insights into the brand’s artistic journey.
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