VIV LEE Ceramicist

MEET THE MAKER

- Catherine Coyle

I GREW UP IN HONG KONG, and although my childhood was not particularly steeped in art and design, I do remember finding great enjoyment and absorption in hobbies that involved working with my hands. I think this is the common thread that has run through all my interests: a desire to engage my mind and body in the creative process and to make something that embodies an essence of the maker's spirit.

I came to working with clay quite late in life. Having initially started from a more conventional career path of studying law and working in an accountancy firm, I quickly veered off this path to explore more creative endeavours and was a florist for nearly ten years before going to art school after the birth of my second child. It was during my time at the Glasgow School of Art studying sculpture that I first came across clay and was instantly smitten by this incredible material. There is something very grounding and transformative about working with clay, a humble material that offers such diverse expressive potential and one with such an ancient lineage of women makers.