04-07-2025
Porcelain blossoms bloom in Oman
In a quiet Muscat studio, roses, orchids and peonies bloom all year — but these aren't ordinary flowers. Meticulously handcrafted from cold porcelain, they are the delicate creations of Poornima Subramanian, Oman's pioneering floral porcelain artist.
Arriving in Oman 42 years ago as a homemaker with two children, Poornima's artistic journey began with silk, paper and stocking flowers before she discovered her true calling: cold porcelain. In 1990, long before online tutorials, she experimented tirelessly, learning from books, local flower arrangers and even glue vendors.
Rustic orchid arrangements
Summer arrangement in a basket
Miniature creations
Inspired by Italy's Capodimonte porcelain flowers, she developed her own clay recipe using starch and PVA glue — a pure white, air-drying medium that unlocked her floral visions.
Cold porcelain, made from household ingredients like cornstarch and glue, doesn't require baking or firing. It hardens naturally at room temperature, allowing artists to shape intricate petals and lifelike blooms. 'This medium is so versatile,' Poornima explains. 'I can create everything from tiny buds to full-size flowers with astonishing detail'.
Roses and orchids arrangement
Roses and orchids
Christmas arrangement in rustic style
Poornima adapted techniques from sugar flower art, even decorating wedding cakes with her non-toxic creations. Over 35 years, she has taught nearly 3,000 students — Omanis and expatriates alike — spreading her passion across communities. Her 2001 appearance on Oman TV's 'Craft Time' introduced this art to an even wider audience.
For Poornima, Oman is more than just a home. 'I owe my art to this beautiful country,' she says. 'I discovered this craft here, using locally sourced materials. It was Oman that nurtured my creativity'.
Seascape arrangement with texture and colour of the sea
Spring arrangement in terracot pots
Table arrangement for Christmas
While refining her craft, she also faced personal challenges, including raising a child with special needs. 'When life gives you difficulties, you can sink into self-pity or find a way to rise above,' she reflects. 'This art became therapy for my soul — a divine grace that helped me heal and grow'. Among her many creations, she considers her miniature garden shop, made at 1/12th scale, her most challenging work. 'Every tiny flower had to be in perfect proportion,' she recalls. Another highlight was mentoring a young girl with hearing difficulties who later launched her own hair accessory business using porcelain flowers. 'That was one of my proudest moments,' she says.
Artist Poornima Subramanian poses with phalenopsis orchid arrangement in a rustic style
Still life in chinneoserie style
Poornima's message to aspiring artists is simple yet profound: 'Patience, persistence and perseverance can transform your life. Think beyond the ordinary and create something that stands out'.
As Oman's first and perhaps only teacher of porcelain flower art, Poornima has blended global techniques with local materials, weaving her craft into the cultural fabric of the Sultanate of Oman. Her story is a testament to creativity, resilience and the power of finding beauty in unexpected places.
