Pond Inspired Ceramics
Hi, my name is An, and I am an artist. If you were wondering... my name is pronounced like "Ann" in handmade.
Why Ponds?
I choose ponds as a motif for my work because I find them calming. This affinity began when I traveled solo to Vietnam as an adult. I spent time in my parent's hometown of Bac Lieu, where I began to feel homesick for the US.
While there, I kept seeing little pockets of water and life. There were shallow waters stretching across rice fields, ponds filled with lotuses, and the Mekong Delta covered with floating plants. These landscapes were integral and beautiful.
These landscapes became something I couldn't stop noticing. I realized I was in love with a landscape I never knew I missed. Having been born and raised in Austin, Texas, I never lived among these sights, yet somehow they felt familiar. They grounded me and calmed me amidst the culture shock and the language barriers. They gave me a permission to slow down, relax, and open my mind to the experiences around me. I began feeling like I was paying homage by experiencing flavors with new perspectives, having deeper connections with relatives, and intentionally exploring my ancestor's land.
That is why I choose ponds as an inspiration for my ceramics. On the surface, they are cute, and playful, but on a deeper level, they represent something more personal to me: an homage.
