DUKKHA: suffering is optional

As a ceramic artist in the post-COVID era, I see a deep connection between the Buddhist concept of Dukkha, or Suffering, and the transformative journey of clay into a porcelain vessel. The pandemic has highlighted life's inherent ephemerality, rooted in impermanence and the illusion of permanence. When I create, I am reminded of this transient nature—clay is malleable, full of potential, yet fragile and subject to change. Once fired, a porcelain vessel achieves a semblance of permanence but is also susceptible to breaking, mirroring life's fragility.

The vessel's emptiness allows us to reflect on the void within us and encourages acceptance of life's impermanent aspects. The bright orange color of the vessel's interior carries profound symbolic meaning in history and art. Historically, orange has been associated with joy, warmth, and creativity. In many cultures, it signifies energy and change, representing the dynamic interplay of light and life. In Buddhist tradition, orange robes worn by monks symbolize humility, renunciation, and the quest for enlightenment. In art, orange has often been used to evoke strong emotions and highlight the vibrancy of life amidst adversity. The bright orange interior symbolizes the warmth of growth and the fleeting moments of happiness that punctuate our journey through change and suffering. This vibrant hue contrasts with the starkness of emptiness, illustrating that beauty, transformation, and the potential for joy exist within the cycles of impermanence and Dukkha.

Creating ceramics has become a meditation on Dukkha, embodying the delicate balance between form and formlessness, permanence and impermanence, suffering and happiness, and ultimately, the resilience and renewal of the human spirit. The vessel's orange interior reminds us that even in the depths of suffering, there are moments of light and transformation, echoing the enduring human capacity for growth and renewal.