Jessie Lam / Hong Kong

Ceramic Artist / Art Educator

▍2014 Residency Journal

Today, it rained heavily (8/5). It's been a long time since I heard the pitter-patter of raindrops. Everything is ready; we will light the kiln this evening. Since June, I left my job, packed a suitcase, and flew from Hong Kong to the Zhu-Nan Snake Kiln in Taiwan to start my life as an artist-in-residence. Over the past one and a half months, I've embraced the creative space, pottery knowledge, and intellectual inspiration this place has offered. All of these have transformed into my works, now placed in the kiln, ready for a three-day firing. The rain before lighting the kiln feels like a prelude to this process, cooling down the hot August air, allowing us to complete the firing comfortably, and making me feel grateful for the blessings of the earth—every inch of land, sunlight, and every drop of rain.

Due to the living environment, there is no suitable condition to build a wood kiln in Hong Kong. During my studies, I could only use electric kilns, making it difficult to create with wood firing. In the past, wood-fired pottery was essential for daily life, from kitchenware to large wine jars. Although it has gradually declined, wood firing still holds its unique beauty and character. Personally, what attracts me to wood firing is the way ash settles on the pieces during firing, forming a glaze that feels like a rustic yet sturdy coat on the pottery. I love the non-flashy, glossy glaze that resembles the skin of a hardworking farmer, marked by the earth.

During the residency, my works were divided into five categories: Tools (Hands), Treasure, Searching for the Moon, Made in Taiwan, and Throwing Diary.

▍Made in Taiwan

This series touched me the most during my residency. Creating often requires maintaining a beginner's mindset—a simple love and curiosity for things, free from preconceived notions. One night, feeling creatively stuck, I had a dream. I saw my younger self, around 5 or 6 years old, dressed neatly in a school uniform, wearing black leather shoes, and carrying a small backpack, looking curious as if about to go to school. When I woke up, the image of those shoes remained vivid in my mind, reminding me to keep that initial, pure love for creation, like a child’s untainted curiosity and desire for knowledge. This series features eleven pairs of different children's shoes, made from various clays, inspired by photos of children’s shoes sent by friends from Hong Kong. I look forward to seeing how they turn out after firing.

As this enriching journey nears its end, I will return to the fast pace of city life in Hong Kong. When I hear cicadas, I will remember the joyful summer I spent at Zhu-Nan Snake Kiln.