Where the world I am from?

Welcome to my Family Home !

I grew up in a little place called Aberdeen in Hong Kong Island ( not to be confused with the one in Scotland ). We are family of 7 , my Grandma, Mum, dad, my eldest sister , older brother, another older sister and I lived in this 3 bedroom flats since I was 1 year old. Before I was born , my family used to live on the other side of the harbor as you can see in the photo.

My grannies and my parents ran a traditional Canton Style Congee and pastry food stall. My first hand on making experience was when I was three years old. My mum gave me a little piece of dough to play with, I loved the feeling when I mould it and pile it up like a little figurine.

I was always a trouble in the family. I could not write nor spell by heart very well even when I tried very hard. My sisters and teachers really struggled to teach me academics. My sisters used to said: “This girl is smart, but such a shame she can not spell” . Unfortunately, back then they had no knowledge of dyslexia. However, I could sing aloud any song with all the lyrics and remember stories simply by listening. By the age of 5, I won a community story telling competition, even my family was so surprised what I was capable of.

My academic learning journey was bumpy right up until I was 15. I moved to a secondary school where there was focus on hands on skills. That’s where I found Ceramic , and it changed my life.

We all started by wedging clay , rolling slap with no guard but a rolling pin, kicking wheel, centering from a standing kicking wheel – tricky, but my back me for it. I was able to throw a plate in 30 seconds from the first time the teacher had taught us. And for that she challenged me to throw another 10 plates. Which I proudly managed to.

It was fun, being in the studio. I felt so settled and happy.

2 years of practice, I completed my certificate , I was so ready to move on to the only Ceramic art Degree course available in Hong Kong. Sadly , my sponsor – who was my Mum – stopped me. She didn’t believe being an artist can survive and make a living.

I was scared for my future and the idea of not being able to survive. So instead I did a Moving Image course which I thought I liked. I spent 3 years to complete the course and another three and a half years in the media industry, only to realise I didn’t enjoy it. During the time, I also lost a love one in my life. I was at a lost, so I decided to travel .

I traveled and lived in Australia for two years. I also traveled to south east Asia. I learnt a lot , and met a lot of people. However, I still felt lost.

I got better when I met my husband in Hong Kong. We moved to London together , and started a family. Unfortunately though, my mood and emotions plummeted when I gave birth to my second child.

I suffered from postnatal depression. I felt I was in a very dark place. I needed an exit. I needed a change. And that’s when I met my ceramic tutor, Yen Yu.

She introduced the idea of Wabi Sabi in her ceramic courses. At first I wasn’t sure what that was, but the calmness in her class was real; it was so present, no judgement, only embrace and complete joy on what you made during the class.

And I began to realise that although sadness is from the inside, pure joy can be simple and purely from the inside as well.

I needed to find out “How?” How could a simple piece of clay bring such a joyful moment to me? No matter the time when I was a jumpy teenager , or when I was a broken adult.

So, here I am ! I am in CSM BACD. I really wish one day , I can bring the same joy and peace to people who are lost in their feelings or purely want to enjoy a moment of quietness via Clay, this amazing material from the ground.