This is one of those projects in which the process far outweighs the product. A few months back, my friends Mansy, owner of Hey Kessy Pottery, and Miggy of Hidden Space Co, invited me to take part in an all girls ceramics group show. I said yes and that was the start of the almost two-month long creative journey of producing our pieces for the exhibit.
We had to work at the pottery studio several times together and throughout that entire process, I was grateful for the opportunity to get to know these ladies better. I came to know, not only how truly talented they are, but also how they are actively pursuing authenticity and grace in life and at work.
Together, we learned the basics of hand-building as well as attempted to use the pottery wheel. We exchanged snacks and stories, simultaneously wished our plates didn’t burst during firing, and made the most of the medium to express ourselves.
I went into this fully aware that my skill level isn’t anywhere near theirs but I was there eager to learn and to contribute what I could.
My inspiration for my plates are my childhood and my own children. One is titled, “Recess” which is reminiscent of snack breaks in grade school which was the only time when I was able to enjoy some freedom and play in a very rigid all-girls private school. Playing jackstone on the tiled flooring, Chinese garter tournaments, buying canteen snacks with my allowance that my mom won’t usually get for me — those were some of the fun things I clearly remember about school.
The next one is titled, “Play.” The squiggly lines and vibrant colors signify how my kids interact with one another, how their moods drastically change, how they move and spread themselves all over the place — all of which are part of play.
I’m very grateful to have been part of Make Or Break. I treasure this experience, all the stories we exchanged as well as the genuine support and sincere encouragement that was freely passed around. I’m proud of the plates we made but it was really the entire experience of making together and being a community that mattered the most. Not only do I look forward to working with them again but also to keeping these friendships. ❤
MAKE OR BREAK will be on display at HiddenSpace.co until Sep 12th. I invite you all to see it while you can ❤
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