Suet Yi – ceramicist
Last year at GNCCF I was honoured to be asked by Ann-Marie and Angela to offer a prize to an exhibitor and also excited to be able to get a sneaky early peek before the doors opened to the public! (See the blog I did about it here). The GNCCF showcases cutting edge contemporary craft to buy from over 150 carefully selected designer-makers in ceramics, glass, jewellery, interior and fashion textiles, wood, paper, silver, metal, product design, print-making and more. Last year was its fourth year and I have supported it since it first opened its doors at Manchester Grammar School in 2008 when it was opened by designer Thomas Heatherwick.
GNCCF Spinningfields 2011
Visitors to GNCCF can spend the day in a relaxed yet stimulating atmosphere, chat to the makers about their work and buy or commission pieces directly from them. As a gallery owner it is the perfect place for me to visit to find new graduates and designer-makers I have not yet discovered to showcase their work in Heart Gallery in the future….and there’s a bonus – it’s ‘Up North’ so not far to travel!
My first view of Suet’s display
Awarding Suet Yi with her certificate and the chance to exhibit with me in 2012
Awarding Suet an exhibition got me thinking about her work and when it would best suit Heart Gallery. Talking to Suet made it clear that she had a real passion for her craft and her inspirations from nature and life were so important to her. Suet’s display reflected this so well so it seemed apt to launch a Summer Showcase around her and therefore a 2012 exhibition was planned, organised and hey presto – Suet’s work has now arrived at Heart Gallery for others to admire 9 months after first meeting her.
Summer Showcase 2012 invitation
Summer Showcase 2012 invitation
In 2008, Suet quit her job in Hong Kong and came over to the UK to do a second degree in Nottingham. She expected to do something she would enjoy but had absolutely no idea what that thing would be. The summer before she entered her final year, she met Katrin Moye (an established potter based in Nottingham) who offered her a placement over the holiday and a part-time job for two months. This working experience helped her explore some decorating skills in pottery.
Suet Yi – wall plates
During her final year, Suet gave all her heart into creating her own body of work and played with clay every day and night. Sometimes it did not listen to her and sometimes she misunderstood it so the path to understanding ceramics took a lot of patience on Suet’s part but her love towards her work is more powerful than an alarm clock! It wakes her up every morning and she now knows that ceramics is the thing for her life. Suet Yi Ceramics is her everything; it has given her a meaningful life, a life Suet is able to look after and control, a life which makes her smile and a life she wants to last forever.
Suet Yi – wall plate
Suet explores beauty and simplicity from her love of the countryside and also the joy of being a child.
Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees
She enjoys the inner peace and tranquillity creating with clay.
Suet Yi – wall plate
From her playful plates to her minimalist birds and trees, there is a sensibility as delicate as the materials.
Suet Yi – ceramic birds and trees
We adore Suet’s work and know that you will too so do call in soon to see the range she has created for us. We are officially launching the Summer Showcase on Sunday 01 July from 12-5pm so do please join us for our Garden Party.
Suet Yi Ceramics – wall display
I will finish this post on Suet with her own words: “Ceramics and I are bonded by destiny. It carries my love for a simple and quiet life.”
