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The Atelier of Shadows
Ceramic 陶艺
Ceramics have long been among the most enduring artifacts of human history. In earlier times, they served not only as vessels of function and beauty but also as valuable objects in barter systems. The craftsmanship of a single ceramic piece could reflect the economic strength, social structure, and cultural identity of a society.
In exploring the legend of Princess Hang Li Po, the historical trail often leads back to the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1459–1477), a timeline that aligns with the Ming Dynasty in China. During the early Ming period (1368–1644), smalt cobalt—brought back by Admiral Zheng He’s maritime expeditions—remained the primary pigment for the renowned blue-and-white porcelain. These porcelain works became symbols of technological sophistication and artistic refinement.
At its peak, Melaka was a thriving center of trade, often referred to by historians as a melting pot of cultures. And the word “pot” feels fitting—both literally and metaphorically—inspiring me to continue telling these layered stories through ceramics.
In exploring the legend of Princess Hang Li Po, the historical trail often leads back to the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah (1459–1477), a timeline that aligns with the Ming Dynasty in China. During the early Ming period (1368–1644), smalt cobalt—brought back by Admiral Zheng He’s maritime expeditions—remained the primary pigment for the renowned blue-and-white porcelain. These porcelain works became symbols of technological sophistication and artistic refinement.
At its peak, Melaka was a thriving center of trade, often referred to by historians as a melting pot of cultures. And the word “pot” feels fitting—both literally and metaphorically—inspiring me to continue telling these layered stories through ceramics.
Bloom in Hope I
SOLD
As Flowers Bloom & Fall
Bloom in Hope II
Double Happiness 囍
2024
Porcelain blooms with motifs of resilience,
longing and feminine grace. In Chinese beliefs, Chrysanthemum represents Purity, in able to accept new things, keep our mind and heart
pure to enable acceptance of new beginning.
Porcelain blooms with motifs of resilience,
longing and feminine grace. In Chinese beliefs, Chrysanthemum represents Purity, in able to accept new things, keep our mind and heart
pure to enable acceptance of new beginning.
2024
Reflects the fleeting grace of diplomacy,
longing, and cultural union, echoing the
journey of Hang Li Po. Like a chrysanthemum
in passing seasons, it honors beauty in
transience and strength in surrender.
Reflects the fleeting grace of diplomacy,
longing, and cultural union, echoing the
journey of Hang Li Po. Like a chrysanthemum
in passing seasons, it honors beauty in
transience and strength in surrender.
2024
Violet porcelain is a rare and evocative
ceramic. Once a symbol of imperial prestige,
the color evokes mystery, spirituality and
regality. It captures both restraint of
tradition and the boldness of reinvention.
Violet porcelain is a rare and evocative
ceramic. Once a symbol of imperial prestige,
the color evokes mystery, spirituality and
regality. It captures both restraint of
tradition and the boldness of reinvention.
2024
Known as “Good Luck Gourd”
Keeping in the goodness and love.
Represents ties of both Malay and Chinese
culture, believe the earliest trace of forming the culture of “Baba and Nyonya”, known as
Peranakan culture in the early 15th century.
Known as “Good Luck Gourd”
Keeping in the goodness and love.
Represents ties of both Malay and Chinese
culture, believe the earliest trace of forming the culture of “Baba and Nyonya”, known as
Peranakan culture in the early 15th century.
Puteri Hang Li Po
SOLD
Hang Li Po’s Well
Sultan Mansur Shah
The Circle of Life
2024
Portrait of Ming Dynasty princess,
Puteri Hang Li Po. A mirror of a dreamy
reflection of her. While historical records
in China remain silent about her existence.
Her story lives on in Malay chronicles
and cultural memory. Blurring the lines
between history and myth. She represents
the quiet power of soft influence.
Portrait of Ming Dynasty princess,
Puteri Hang Li Po. A mirror of a dreamy
reflection of her. While historical records
in China remain silent about her existence.
Her story lives on in Malay chronicles
and cultural memory. Blurring the lines
between history and myth. She represents
the quiet power of soft influence.
2024
Is a historic water well in Malacca,
believed to have been built for Princess
Hang Li Po and her entourage in the
15th century. Though its origins are debated,
the well stands as a quiet witness to cultural exchange, legend, and the enduring
story of a royal union.
Is a historic water well in Malacca,
believed to have been built for Princess
Hang Li Po and her entourage in the
15th century. Though its origins are debated,
the well stands as a quiet witness to cultural exchange, legend, and the enduring
story of a royal union.
2024
Sultan Mansur Shah was the sixth
ruler of the Malacca Sultanate,
reigning from 1459 to 1477. Under
his leadership, Malacca reached its
golden age, flourishing as a powerful
maritime empire and a vibrant center
of trade, culture and diplomacy in the region.
Sultan Mansur Shah was the sixth
ruler of the Malacca Sultanate,
reigning from 1459 to 1477. Under
his leadership, Malacca reached its
golden age, flourishing as a powerful
maritime empire and a vibrant center
of trade, culture and diplomacy in the region.
2024
If the hand facing up, it means ready
to receive the untold fortune,
acceptance, open to learn new culture
in new environment. If the hand is facing
down, it means letting go the old, letting
the past, in process of turning into new
leaf. Symbolizes quiet rebirth and graceful
adaption, evokes a turning point where
history, identity and feminity gently
unfold into something renewed.
If the hand facing up, it means ready
to receive the untold fortune,
acceptance, open to learn new culture
in new environment. If the hand is facing
down, it means letting go the old, letting
the past, in process of turning into new
leaf. Symbolizes quiet rebirth and graceful
adaption, evokes a turning point where
history, identity and feminity gently
unfold into something renewed.
Grooming
Garden of The Palace
Myth remains a Myth
SOLD
2024
Extension medium of painting “ 梳妆 Morning Dressing”
Hang Li Po is dressed by her lady-in-waiting,
preparing her growing role in new court.
2024
In the hush of the palace garden, flowers bloom
not in freedom, but in ritual. Each one a whisper
of the ‘Gundik’, a royal concubines adorned
in silence. Rooted yet radiant, they unfold
like secrets, ephemeral, fragrant and bound
to the soil of longing. Their beauty, like court
politics, delicate; both a gift and a gilded cage
In the hush of the palace garden, flowers bloom
not in freedom, but in ritual. Each one a whisper
of the ‘Gundik’, a royal concubines adorned
in silence. Rooted yet radiant, they unfold
like secrets, ephemeral, fragrant and bound
to the soil of longing. Their beauty, like court
politics, delicate; both a gift and a gilded cage
2024
Debates whether or not is Princess Hang Li Po
is a real historical figure or not. It is doesn’t matter
anymore. it’s myth contributed to the beginning era
of Baba Nyonya (Mixed of Malay and Chinese culture)
in the early 14th century that influenced the golden
era of Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, the Malacca Empire.
Debates whether or not is Princess Hang Li Po
is a real historical figure or not. It is doesn’t matter
anymore. it’s myth contributed to the beginning era
of Baba Nyonya (Mixed of Malay and Chinese culture)
in the early 14th century that influenced the golden
era of Kesultanan Melayu Melaka, the Malacca Empire.
A series explores the story of Hang Li Po through ink on rice paper. Using splash techniques and expressive brushwork, each piece captures fragments of emotion, displacement, grace, and quiet resilience.
© Carabelle Cheong 2025. Right Reserved