Crazy for ceramics
Young potter Athit Mingchua offers a variety of unique kooky designs at his Chatuchak Market shop
THE PERFECT answer for anyone wanting to bring new life to a boring dinner table, Earth Republic’s funky new tableware and accessories are guaranteed to catch the eye.
Introduced earlier this month during the International Innovative Craft Fair (IICF), the ceramics are the brainchild of Athit Mingchua, a graduate of Srinakharinwirot University, who founded his brand back in 2012.
Athit started making his own pottery as a hobby while working at a French ceramic factory in Nakhon Pathom province, offering his simple ceramic mugs with handles fashioned out of old faucets at the Cicada night market in Hua Hin.
“They didn’t sell very well though,” the 29-year-old recalls with a smile. “I don’t think buyers found them functional enough. However, the experience taught me that a good product should be both attractive and useful.”
“I’ve developed my designs to look simple but eye catching by scraping rather than painting to create a unique texture. All my stoneware is microwave-safe and fired at 1,200-degrees Celsius to provide durability. I’ve also expanded my product line to include home furnishings and accessories.”
Last year, his creations were selected for the Talent Thai & Designer Room of
Bangkok International Gift and Houseware Fair, where he earned many more orders from Chinese buyers. He recently opened his first store at Chatuchak Weekend Market and is drawing the attention of foreign tourists with his latest designs, which are inspired by Japanese patchwork.
The small shop has a wide range of coffee mugs, teacups, coffee pots, plates, coffee drippers, vases and dolls in several shapes and sizes. Colours vary from pastel pink, blue and yellow to basic black and white.
“My products resemble abstract artworks. The coffee mugs have a twisted form and are covered in cartoon motifs, dots, tartan patterns and stripes rendered through hand scratching, so each one is slightly different,” Athit says.
Among his best sellers are gaily patterned vases shaped to resemble Guilin’s mountains, a black-and-white foot-shaped lamp, coffee mugs with different shaped handles and flowerpot holders shaped to resemble hands.
DOWN TO EARTH
Earth Republic is at Chutuchak Weekend Market, Section 7, Soi 63/2. It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 6pm. Find out more at (086) 346 0605 or visit the Earth Republic page on Facebook.
