About iki made

 

As a child, I loved drinking tea with my grandpa. 

As he prepared the tea, he would tell me stories about his father who was a calligrapher that took month-long trips to paint pictures of ancient towns, or about his own life working, with a university degree, as the lowest grade factory labourer in 1960s communist China. 

Often times, he would tell me that the secret to brewing the best cup of tea was patience, and use that time to appreciate the beautiful imperfections of the makers’ marks on his teawares.

My own story with pottery started years later, at a time when I was burnt out from a consulting job—and frankly, forgot how to take time to appreciate life’s imperfections.

After a short sick leave visiting my grandparents, I went on a quest to re-learn that appreciation, and decided to enroll in a pottery class.

Now, inspiration comes from the beauty of everyday things—summer hikes in the forest, cityscapes on my way to work, my neighbour’s garden, new collections at local galleries— hoping to translate all the beauty around me into the pottery I create.

I am drawn to the power of objects—both humble and prized—and the way they can hold memories and emotions for us. Objects have a tactile way of connecting us through time. 

I see the pieces I make as characters in an epic journey, each with their own personalities, likes and dislikes. I want to give you their backstory, to bring you up to speed with the life of the piece so far. After the piece leaves my world, I like to think it has a life of its own in yours, continuing its story, maybe travelling to a new country or changing careers later in its life.

Sometimes I have seen a pot put to better use than I intended, and it’s delightful to see a piece through someone else’s eyes.

I hope my work can bring you joy, too.

- Skye