A softness in hand and gesture
- Gerald is fascinated by hands, his signature motif
- He works with ancient materials and modern CNC carving
- His work is built on repetition and patience
Gerald Mak's aesthetic revolves around surface decoration and carving into soft clay, a process through which he turns simple forms into expressive creations with subtle, descriptive marks, textures and incisions. "Clay captures the immediacy of the hand before transforming into a completely solid and enduring object. The material has drawn my attention ever since I was a child," he says. Gerald was born in Hong Kong, but is based in both Jingdezhen in China, and London in the UK, where he studied. "These two cities are sources of inspiration and energy," Gerald explains. His observation of gestures is reflected in a wide range of works that spans panels, vessels, sculptures and furniture pieces. These creations share a common recurring theme of overlapping and intertwining hands, a language that Gerald speaks through a meditative and physical process.
Interview
- Why did you choose to work with clay?
- The tactile and responsive nature of clay captivated me early on, and the material always felt intuitive to me. My choice to work with clay was born out of curiosity, a connection to the material and a desire to express myself through making.
- What is your connection with the UK and China?
- I feel a deep connection with the contexts where I live and work. In London, I feel encouraged to experiment as I am surrounded by a diverse art community. Jingdezhen, on the other hand, inspires my creative process, as it is steeped in porcelain heritage, a rhythm of making and lessons of discipline and delicacy.
- Do your works blend tradition and innovation?
- Much of my work involves hand carving with ancient materials like clay and porcelain. More recently, I have been using digital and machine assisted tools, such as CNC carving. I try to monumentalise the mundane to give weight and attention to small, everyday moments through form and surface.
- What does well made mean to you?
- A well made object carries a sense of effortlessness, but behind that ease there has to be a long process of trial, care and refinement. The piece should show maturity, not through perfection, but through sensitivity and intention.
Gerald Mak is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2009
Where
Gerald Mak
