Jynsym Ong is a studio potter born in London and currently based in Oxford. A graduate of Clay College, Stoke-On-Trent, Jynsym's dedication to her craft earned her a prestigious Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation Scholarship, enabling her to travel to Japan for an immersive apprenticeship at Mitoh Gama (Kiln) in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture. During her two years in Japan, she honed her skills and deepened her appreciation for traditional ceramic techniques and aesthetics.
Inspired by the patterns and surfaces found in nature, Jynsym's work reflects her fascination with organic textures and the ineffable qualities of the natural world. She incorporates found materials such as wood ash, rocks, and clays into her practice, allowing the raw beauty of these elements to shape her creations.
A passionate advocate of wood-firing, Jynsym embraces the unpredictability of this age-old technique. In wood-fired kilns, pots are glazed naturally by the ashes from the burning wood, resulting in surfaces imbued with nuance, depth, and a captivating variety of textures. This process exemplifies her commitment to celebrating the inherent spontaneity and imperfection of handmade pottery, creating pieces that resonate with authenticity and connection to the Earth.
Jynsym Ong's ceramics embody a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, offering a contemporary perspective on ancient techniques while maintaining a deep respect for the natural materials and processes that define her work.