Reflecting on Rituals
The Plate Show, held at the Collins Gallery, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, was curated by artist Paul Scott and gallery director Laura Hamilton. The exhibition explored the intersection of ceramics and contemporary art, showcasing innovative works that blended traditional and modern approaches. Invited to create a piece for the exhibit, I developed "Download", a work that pushed me both technically and emotionally. Tackling slip casting and mold making with limited experience, I was able to produce just one piece after many attempts, making Download truly one of a kind. Supported by the Scottish Arts Council, the exhibition toured for two years after its debut, sharing these thought-provoking works with audiences across the UK.
A Place Setting for the Digital Age
"Download" is a dinnerware set for one that draws deeply from the Japanese bento box—a compact container traditionally designed to hold rice and side dishes, often prepared with care and imbued with the love of the eater’s family. A bento box represents thoughtfulness and balance, turning a simple meal into a meaningful ritual.
This concept stands in stark contrast to how technology has reshaped modern dining. Inspired by this cultural tradition, "Download" serves as a commentary on how meals, once a communal experience shared with family and friends, have often become solitary and rushed affairs, taken in front of glowing screens.
The set consists of:
The shallow "MONITOR" plate, a reminder that even our meals are trapped in the glow of work.
For holding food, the "KEYBOARD" box represents the seamless blending of work and nourishment in our daily routines.
The CD-inspired plate or coaster, a throwback to when physical media still had a place in our lives.
Doubling as a spice dispenser, the "MOUSE" reflects how tools have evolved into multi-functional companions.
Completing the set, the "MOUSE PAD" napkin grounds it in practicality while nodding to the tactile nature of dining.
This piece reflects on a world where computers promised to simplify life but instead have accelerated its pace. "Download" is dedicated to those whose primary dining companion has become their computer. It asks us to pause, to savor the meal, and to reconnect with the simple joys of eating—not as a task but as a shared human experience.
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