For this week's artist profile, I had the pleasure of connecting with Grace Lee of Eikcam Ceramics at her most recent pop-up in Chinatown's This Open Space gallery (running until Dec. 23 at 434 Columbia). Lee, who has been involved in the arts for years and previously designed ceramics for major labels, took the entrepreneurial leap of faith and started her own ceramics studio in 2007. Since then she has created a brand that approaches design with a layered simplicity – a respect for the beauty in natural, organic elements and silhouettes. Eikcam offers tabletop and home decor pieces that are not only functional, but offer a refined yet inviting sensibility to their surroundings.
Tell us a little about yourself... My name is Grace Lee and I am a born and raised Vancouverite. I have been immersed in art studies for most of my years: from Arts Umbrella to Emily Carr. I have been an art director and tableware designer in a previous life and now I am the maker of Eikcam Ceramics. I started Eikcam Ceramics in 2007 and my previous career of designing for others and being inspired by all of my travels to France led me to design and create for myself.
Do you have a Vancouver muse? My most recent muse is my daughter, Olive, who almost always suggests using a version of pink in my work. But mostly she inspires me by teaching me the virtues of being present and patient and open to all that comes my way.
What colour best describes your personality? I would choose olive green, since it’s an earthy tone and the colour of foliage, which inspires all aspects of my life.
How would you describe Vancouver’s artistic/creative community? The creative community is very supportive; there is an understanding of the gruelling hours we put in and the great efforts to travel to shows and participate in exhibits. We all love our craft and mutually respect our talents. I am continually inspired by fellow creatives and take on collaborations with new makers and old. The artistic community crosses mediums and borders and I am very humbled to be part of this group.
Some people collect old cameras and typewriters. Do you collect anything? I collect fallen bark, decaying flower buds, seed pods and smooth pieces of wee driftwood from island travels or the BC interior.
What is your favourite creative website? I love Canadian-born jewellers’ website TheNoisyPlume.com and she is a magnificent maker and person too. Her lifestyle, her work and approach to each project and photography and writing is all so beautifully intertwined and whole. She is an inspiration.
Finish this sentence: my day is not complete without… A kiss from my little one.
How would you describe your artistic style? My style has always been ‘making a statement in an understated way.’
Is there a song or a musician that inspires you to create? I mostly listen to podcasts these days to keep my brain engaged with what is happening outside of my small bubble here in Vancouver. I love Radiolab and Marc Maron and anything NPR.
Is there one area of your craft you find especially challenging? I find that ceramics, as a craft, is still undervalued for the long process it takes to complete a piece. It is an old technology – the oldest in fact – where we take clay from the earth and transform it into a functional vessel or piece of art. The process is long and involved: the clay has to be formed into its desired shape (this comes with many years of learning, making, designing and practicing) and fired twice to 2,000 degrees – both taking two days to complete – and then drying and glazing and texturing in between. Ceramics is a true laborious endeavor and not for the weak of heart or mind.
Do you have a favourite creative space? My favourite creative space is my studio at the Mergatroid in Strathcona. It’s a compact small space where everything has its place.
If you could speak to a room of young people who were considering careers in the arts, what would your advice be? Push the boundaries and think outside the box first. Most importantly, never take no for an answer.
Artistically, what is your favourite part of the city? I love heading into Pacific Spirit Park near UBC where I grew up and just wandering for hours, taking in all paths of the senses. The air is rejuvenating, the textures invoke playful creative energy and walking on the earth is meditative and ever so grounding.
• Check out Grace Lee's Instagram for more of her work.
