Key Points
- Ria Noche creates Filipino-inspired tableware.
- The Philippine palayok is traditionally made with clay found in riverbeds.
- Noche's rediscovery of Filipino cuisine goes hand-in-hand with her promotion of Filipino-inspired tableware.
Precision, pattern and symmetry.
For data analyst and potter Ria Noche, these are the common denominators of maths and pottery that make the two seemingly disconnected outlets perfect for her.
The mathematician and potter
"With data analysis and maths, you have to be creative in solving problems and coming up with solutions. There's a step-by-step process to doing that.
"With pottery, it's about creating something beautiful with your hands. It's also a step-by-step thing, which I really like."
Noche admitted that she tried other creative media such as woodworking, but quickly discovered that the practice of pottery was a fit.
"The first few pieces I made weren't great; but I really liked the process."
Akin to mathematics, Noche shared that problem solving and precision are required in pottery.
"I tend to be pretty slow at making things. I take my time to really measure and adjust when needed.
"When it's a piece I haven't done before, there's that element of figuring out what clay I need and how much of the material I have to use. 'Do I build it as one piece or do I make separate pieces and assemble them later on?'
"There's also a lot of chemistry involved when it comes to making glazes.
"Pottery just stuck with me. I like the process of it."
The palayok
Love for pottery led her to create 'Moon River Pots'.
"In Spanish, my name 'Ria' [or 'Rio'] means 'river' and 'Noche' means 'night'; that's why I named my enterprise 'Moon River Pots'."
Noche sells her pieces through 'Moon River Pots', majority of which are through word-of-mouth and referrals.
Under 'Moon River Pots', Noche creates Filipino-inspired tableware such as the palayok [earthenware pot], latik [solids from coconut cream] bowls and bilao [a flat round container used to winnow rice] plates.
The palayok is particularly important to Noche.
Noche's palayok was selected as a finalist in the Clay Sydney Prize in 2023.
"The palayok is so special. My memory of the palayok is so vivid.
I remember when I was younger and I had one of those palayok playsets and we would pretend to cook. I think a lot of us who grew up in the Philippines have that memory.Ria Noche, potter
While Noche has perfected the shape and concave structure of the palayok, she said she aims to find material that will allow her to put it over fire.
"A different kind of clay is used in the Philippine palayok that allows it to expand when heated. It's kind of similar to terracotta, which means it's porous and won't crack when used for cooking."
Filipino-inspired
Aside from the palayok, Noche said that she takes a lot of inspiration from Filipino culture.
"I have stacking bowls which are reminiscent of the banga [big jars], and I also take a lot of inspiration from Filipino textures, weaving patterns and, even tattoos."
For Noche though, Filipino food continues to be what inspires her work the most.
"Through pottery, I'm able to celebrate a part of my heritage that I really love - food.
"I used to stick with our trusted adobo and menudo before. I didn't explore regional dishes back home; but I've been exploring them more now, especially when I have friends over for dinner.
"I love being able to serve Filipino dishes in the table pieces I make, and to share the food I love with others."
