

Julie and Jesse
Hometown: Neuchâtel, Switzerland / New York, USA
Based in: Hong Kong
Hometown: Neuchâtel, Switzerland / New York, USA
Based in: Hong Kong
Julie & Jesse is an art/design studio established in Hong Kong & Jingdezhen by designer Julie Progin (CH) and artist Jesse Mc Lin (USA).
Training in art and different disciplines of design allows them to bridge conceptual and emotional narratives with meticulous making technique.
The duo's practice straddles between the spheres of design, craft and art using function and objects as a pretext for visual discourse and experimental ceramic explorations as their methodology. They are not committed to a single process, nor do they plan the result of their projects. Rather they create situations and frameworks to work in and within constantly challenging the expected outcome.
They adapt and respond to different environments to produce projects that are uniquely of their time and place: “Our work follows a consistent conceptual path to capture, document and present a moment in time and place.”
Julie & Jesse adopt a unique approach to each project, inspired by the particular resources, techniques and vernacular aesthetic of its cultural, historic and economic landscape.
Their work also manifests research into the characteristics inherent to porcelain to draw out its natural qualities, explore and experiment with innovative techniques and conceive new and unusual processes. From rethinking the function of glaze, capturing an instant of change to archiving the breaks and decay of production moulds the key attributes of their work are time, context and transformation.
Julie & Jesse’s works have been exhibited at institutions such as M+ Museum for Visual Culture, Design Society, the Triennale Di Milano, Musée Magnelli & Chicago Design Museum. Their ceramics are held in private and corporate collections as well as public permanent collections at the China Ceramic Museum (China), M+ Museum for Visual Culture (Hong Kong). They also collaborate with international design companies such as COS to create unique installations and have been selected to show in numerous ceramic and art biennales.
What inspires you?
History, manufacturing processes, objects, architecture, literature, accidents in the studio, materials, making.
Describe your creative process.
Observe, collect, explore, discuss, read, research, experiment, make mistakes, use our hands - we generally just get on with the making itself. Different ideas suit different approaches, we try not to have one method of creating.
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Contextual, experimental, thought-provoking.
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Surrounding ourselves with our library of mistakes and experiments.
Where do you go for inspiration?
Books, publications, museums, galleries, archives, hiking, studio.
1 Article
New Design Items in December
December 16, 2020
Awards
Special Prize, 2020 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale
2020
International Cluj Ceramics Biennale
2019
Cheongju Craft Biennale Competition
2019
'Blanc de Chine' International Ceramic Art Award
2019
XXV Biennale Internationale de Vallauris
2019
The 10th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale
2019
Design for Asia Award
2011
40 Under 40 by Perspective Magazine
2011