Would you define your works as practical things or pieces of art?
I am an artist, so I always set my mind to the things of daily life and strive to create something new from them. I draw my inspiration from everyday life and look at the things we use, then I contemplate how these items could be made prettier. I like to work with simple objects such as chairs or umbrella stands: They are practical, but I can still add a cute twist. We should enjoy everything in our environment, and as long as my works get a smile from people, I have achieved my goal.

How did clay become your preferred medium?
I had never as much as touched clay before I went to Hong Kong 16 years ago. I had tried music and several different kinds of design as outlets for my creativity, but I was never satisfied. It took a while until I found my own art. You have to be patient, try things out and see what suits you best. Even after I had started studying ceramics, it took some time for me to find my own style and way of doing things. One day I mixed a very special kind of pink, and only then did I feel like “Now I’m an artist, this is all mine.” The color sort of became my signature.

What are the major influences for your work?
It’s important for me to distance myself from traditional Japanese ceramic works. My work has nothing to do with that, because it doesn’t follow any rules. I use the colors I like and create the artifacts I choose. Traditional art is very regularized: There is very little room for creativity. The studio I studied at and my teacher encouraged me to think independently and draw inspiration from daily life.

What is one essential thing to get across to your students when teaching?
I think self-learning is the single most important factor. When students ask me about something, I won’t say “You have to do it like this and that.” I think about their questions and of course I help them, but I try and let them figure it out on their own. This is very important for them to eventually develop their own style. Teaching also educates me, because I learn through my students’ works.

How can people interested in learning ceramics contact you?
My studio, Clay-Play, is located in 29 Soi Attakawee 1, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-258-6663, [email protected]. My husband and I also have a shop called Baby’s Breath in 140 Soi Klang, Sukhumvit Soi 49, where we sell some of my works. If you’re interested just stop by, we offer both adult and children’s classes.