THE POTTER

For the last 8 years, Jun Rhee has been a potter at Kiln, a small restaurant and ceramics shop in Newcastle upon Tyne’s vibrant Ouseburn. Jun’s studio is attached to the restaurant itself, with patrons able to watch him work through large crittall windows whilst their food is served on his ceramics.

When asked how he finds working with so many eyes watching him, he explained that, as an artist, he feels a sense of duty to show how things are made, so that their value be appreciated.

He shared his frustration that things are increasingly automated and disposable, and that it would be a shame if everything would be done by machine. However, he believes hand crafted shouldn’t be an excuse for imperfection, and only accepts the highest standards from himself, whilst accepting that perfection is unattainable.

Ultimately, his goal with his ceramics is to provide beautiful, functional items to the world, and to share the process of his craft whilst doing so.