We recently connected with Josephine Zhu and have shared our conversation below.
Josephine, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of my favorite items of cultural significance in the Chinese culture is the jade bangle. Jade bangles are a staple worn by Chinese women for centuries, as a symbol for good health and protection. Chinese women will even often wear the same one for their entire lives–including my 102 year old grandmother who still wears hers to this day. Some of my earliest memories are holding my grandmother’s hand as a child, every now and then I would sneak a glimpse at the milky jade bangle delicately dangling off her wrist, as she walked me to school every day. For Lunar New Year, I created what is now my signature piece–a jade-inspired circular porcelain vase, that was inspired by my grandmother’s very own jade bangle. Even now, I think of her each time I make one, and buyers will often tell me that it reminds them of their own family matriachs, which reminds me the importance of art and its impact.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a AAPI ceramics artist and I specialize in creating Asian-inspired functional works of art. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, I pay homage to my Chinese-American heritage through pottery, utilizing inspiration that evoke East Asian influences and motifs. Each piece is handmade by me and represents my dedication to creating one-of-a-kind, small batch pottery.
I was inspired to start pottery initially as a creative outlet. Over time, I began seeing it as a vehicle to tell my own cultural story and speak my truth. Whether through a simple noodle bowl or an intricate vase, my art strives to inspire, from those who wish to celebrate their own AAPI roots, to those who seek ways to simply incorporate subtle beauty into their own everyday surroundings.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
What drives my creative journey is my cultural background and ethnic identity, and my desire to tell its story while paying homage to it. As a child of immigrants, being an artist isn’t something that comes naturally to me, even often being seen as a frivolous hobby–something other children of immigrants may relate to. Having been raised to pursue careers that are risk averse and financially stable, growing up I silenced the inner voice inside me that yearned to create, afraid of what others would think. But over time, I realized that the purpose of art is simply to express oneself, freely and unapologetically. In my journey, I realized how important the presence of art was and the representation of the artist behind it. I want my ceramics to be a unique and authentic expression of me, which can perhaps inspire others to live the truest version of themselves, find ways to express that, and allow it to unlock new doors of happiness and purpose for them.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Support for artists ranges can so far beyond just money or online presence. As an artist, I’m extremely passionate about using art as a currency to access shared experiences, foster community, and giving a voice to meaningful stories. I am eternally grateful to those who add my pieces to their home, share word of mouth, and come to events. Though my greatness joy as an artist is hearing how much my art connected to them, and how it helped them access parts of their own story buried deep inside. Society can help artists thrive by showing up, and emboldening the importance of an artistic platform for all. And if nothing else, then simply being vulnerable and having a conversation about the art that’s in front of you can very much fulfill the very purpose of art!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zhuologyceramics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhuology.ceramics
