Sandy Ji

Sandy Ji is a Korean born, Australian ceramist based in Sydney, Australia. Sandy was formerly trained in Fashion Design. She worked in the fashion industry for ten years before making a career change and setting up her studio in 2021.

Sandy has practiced under a Korean master potter based in Sydney. She combines her design background and craftmanship to design, make and create contemporary vessels.

In 2022, Sandy was awarded Winner of the Ceramics category in the Little Things Art Prize. She shares the award with Brisbane based ceramicist Roshni Senapati. In June 2023, Sandy and Roshni showcased new bodies of work in a duo exhibition, ji + senapati, sponsored by Gallery of Small Things in Canberra as part of their prize. My wheel thrown porcelain vessels for this new body of work was influenced by my Korean heritage. I have always been intrigued by Korean pottery, specifically the Korean white porcelain pieces Joseon Baekja, which are characterised by their modest forms paired with minimal use of colour.

For my own Baekja pieces, I wanted to add another dimension by creating a pattern to a traditionally bare surface.

The process of constructing the artwork also plays an important role in my art practice through the making process. The vertical line patterns are created with hand carving techniques and requires a specific mental frame to achieve their smooth, straight lines.

The task is repetitive and meticulous and it is through this repetition I find solace. Each stroke of carving is controlled to create a refined silhouette and I find is a test of endurance between the material and maker, myself.