Yoko Sekino-Bové, ceramicist

The privilege of creating functional craft is that my work will become a part of the person who receives it. Because craft lives with the owner, the person uses and touches the artwork everyday. It becomes a part of the person’s identity and, when passed on, an icon to carry on his or her memory. 

In this industrial era, the question of why we still create and use hand-made objects over mass-produced, technologically sophisticated merchandise should be investigated and discussed. Although there are no concrete answers, a few of the suggestions are about how to establish our individual identity and celebrate it. These original, one-of-a-kind craft objects are actually a tool for rituals we subconsciously participate in everyday life. Such as creating a cup of tea using your favorite, hand-made teapot and cup, or wearing your favorite jewelry on special occasions.

For this Community Supported Arts program, I would like to propose a creation of mugs, as a symbol of intimacy and everyday work. Kitchen is one of the places we spend the time most during a day, and the place we share the most intimate time with our family and personally important people. Mug is one of the common items in our kitchen but many people choose generic, mass-produced merchandizes without giving much thought. I would like to raise the awareness about the usual objects that surround us, how important it is to pay attentions to small details in our life to enrich and enlighten. 

When they discover how a good hand-crafted mug fits to their hands, moods, and personalities, I believe the discovery will become an opportunity for them to start a journey of self-discovery.  

It is my hope that my work becomes an object of affection and a small amulet in their journey.