1. Please introduce ‘Susuhage’.

‘Susu’ is a combination of the Chinese characters for “hand” and “outstanding”. Susuhage is a pottery studio dedicated to creating exceptional products by hand. It also conveys the meaning of living a simple life, preserving everyday tranquility within the environment I can manage, rather than running a busy, flashy workshop. As a mother of three, I strive to protect the ecology and environment of the city in my daily life. In this vein, Susuhage creates works that embody ecology and the environment.

2. What was the inspiration and process behind ‘Dokdo & Gangchi’?

In 2013, I read a paper on the Gangchi of Dokdo. Inspired by the historical context and stories related to the Gangchi, which are now extinct, I began creating souvenirs focused on this creature that once thrived in Dokdo. I thought that by sharing the story of the Gangchi, I could help raise awareness not only of its historical significance but also of the animal itself.

3. What aspect did you focus on the most in developing the product?

I wanted to capture the distinctive physical features of the Gangchi. Although it is a creature we can no longer see, I hope that through Dokdo & Gangchi, people can become acquainted with and recognize the Gangchi. So, instead of representing it in a cute and character-like manner, I focused on realistic depictions.

4. What challenges did you face during the production process?

The product is character-driven, highlighting features like the round eyes, cute face, streamlined body, and fins based on photos and records of the Gangchi. However, since the Gangchi is extinct, it was challenging to find reference materials. I visited the Dokdo Museum and searched for related papers and photos, but the resources were limited.

5. What was the most memorable moment during the contest?

While preparing for the contest, I had many conversations with my children about Dokdo and Gangchi. My kids told me one day Gangchi appeared in a game they played during math class. Seeing that their friends were not familiar with the Gangchi, my kids wanted to bring my Gangchi product to show their friends and teachers. When I realized that a simple family conversation had become a topic of discussion among their friends, I felt, ‘ah, I made a good choice to share this process with my children.’

6. What are the future plans for the Susuhage studio?

I would like to create souvenirs using diverse biological resources from different regions. Traveling with my children to explore ecological resources, discussing about them, and seeing that turn into artwork is something my family enjoys to do and the direction I believe our studio should take.