Jess Choi from Eun Ceramics
Jess Choi from Eun Ceramics takes us through her working day and explains why authenticity is a driving force behind all her ceramic pieces.
Photography: Jess Brohier and Vivienne Ngyuen
Photo: Vivienne Ngyuen.
Photo: Jess Brohier.
H&F: What time do you generally start your work day?
Jess: The beauty of working for myself is that I get to be flexible with working hours. I’ve been getting up at 8AM lately as it’s been so cold making it harder to leave my comfy bed! But I do tend to be an early bird during warmer periods. The first thing I do is have my coffee – and yes I’ve become one of those ‘Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee’ mug quote type of people!
What does your process look like?
I’m a predominately wheel throwing ceramicist. I make my pots using a pottery wheel, which I then dry for a day or two depending on the weather. I trim each of the pots and assemble them before putting them in for their first firing. After the first firing, I glaze them using my own glaze recipes and put them in for the second firing. Each pot is individually made by me at my home studio and takes around 2 weeks to make.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from wanting to create something original and authentic. A quote I read that really stuck with me is ‘The best work comes from pursuing a direction, instead of the mind running with many ideas,’ by the late Australian ceramicist Vale Ray Rogers. I like to develop my ideas over time and to watch them evolve by applying new skills I’ve learnt along the way.
“ As long as you live and breathe your passion, it’ll show through your work and you will be able to find your way.”
Is there ever a typical day for you?
I do most of my admin work as soon as I wake up while I’m clay-free and have a cup of coffee in my hand. I’m very fortunate to have a small studio space at home so I put on my daggiest clothes and get to making straight after that. Depending on what I’ve done the previous day, I’ll either throw new pots or trim the pots from the day before. Pottery can be physically demanding so I’m normally worn out by 2PM which is when I make my lunch. I’ll do some glazing after lunch if I have a lot of orders to fulfil – if not, I usually spend the rest of the day running errands and managing social media.
What tips do you have for artists who are starting out and working for themselves?
Just keep pushing forward. If something isn’t working figure out another way to make it work and be open to opportunities. I was very reluctant to start my journey in ceramics due to everyone telling me how hard it is to make a living as an artist/maker. While this is somewhat true as local businesses and artists don’t get nearly as much support or recognition as they deserve compared to the amount of work they put in. From my personal experience, it hasn’t been as gruelling as what I thought it’d be. As long as you live and breathe your passion, it’ll show through your work and will be able to find your way.
The biggest lesson you’ve learnt working for yourself?
You are your worst enemy and figure out your taxes early in the business.
Can you share some highlights and challenges of your career so far?
Highlights would have to be featuring on The Design Files and also being selected as a finalist for The Design Files + Laminex Design Awards. Exhibiting at Brave Blooms as part of Melbourne Design Week alongside so many renowned local designers and having my work shown at No Vacancy Gallery just before the most recent lockdown.
I’m fortunate to say I’ve had more up than downs, but the biggest challenge when I was starting out was learning how to pack big orders to prevent breakage in transit. It took me a lot of trial and error and losing months worth of work to figure out how to properly secure them without using plastics and bubblewrap.
