In 2003, I established a reading group with fellow craft artists, and we have been reading at least one book a month since then. In 2013, as a result of the high volume of books we read, I was inspired to channel this immersion into my ceramic chaekgado work. Today, I select and depict titles that I hope will resonate with the viewer.

I find lollipops to be a great source of comfort. Navigating challenging personal circumstances over recent years, I often reflect on the lollipops my mother used to press into my palm during my childhood. While a lollipop will not solve anything, perhaps the memories tied to it are enough to give out a little strength to carry on.

When clay forms are fired once at 1000°C, they gain strength while remaining tender enough to be joined with larger sections. After firing, I fill gaps, sand and refine until the entire composition emerges as a singular, seamless form. I then paint with diluted acrylics, which soak into the porous terracotta, allowing the pigment to build smoothly in layers.