The Child Within

At first glance, without the typically smooth textures of ceramic, Mocca’s creations appear more like papier-mâché or wood carvings. Yet, they are indeed made of clay; crafted through the processes of hand molding, firing, polishing, and glazing. As we grow and learn, we develop the ability to instantly analyze and identify what we see. However, when it comes to appreciating artwork, instead of focusing on what they are made from, be it clay, paper pulp, or wood, I find myself drawn to thinking of what truly lies beneath the surface.

“As a person evolves over time, they become more worldly or they compromise their ideals, whether through their own choices or due to external circumstances. Perhaps this is what ‘growing up’ means,” Mocca explained, in response to my question about the meaning of “growing up.”

“The Child Within” is the central theme for this exhibition. Mocca’s work possesses strong narrative qualities; yet rather than storybooks, they are more like three-dimensional illustrations. “Driven by my passion for picture books and art, I started taking drawing classes that emphasized an illustrative style. Over time, I felt a growing desire to bring my imagination to life in a three-dimensional way. So I embarked on courses in papier-mâché and clay figurine sculpting. Looking back, the transition from illustration to three-dimensional creation felt incredibly organic.” It all came so naturally, just like growing up.

The process of growing up is gradual and often goes unnoticed. We don’t suddenly wake up one day and realize that we have grown up or even aged. It is only when our children grow up and leave home and we find ourselves reassessing our own lives and plans for the future that we truly come to understand that we have undergone the journey of growing up. “My child has now grown up and is studying abroad. So compared to other artists who have to navigate the delicate balance between family and their artistic pursuits, I have more time and space to do what I love. This fills me with a sense of gratitude for the opportunities and freedom I have to fully immerse myself in art.” These pieces of art are crafted by Mocca, who never let go of her passion for art despite the additional responsibilities of motherhood. Through clay, she tells the world of the expectations and aspirations she once held for herself.

“At the beginning, I drew inspiration from my child’s everyday moments, and I would use clay to bring their stories to life. But then, I found my true self slowly emerging. As humans, we often feel the need to resist the relentless passing of time. These clay figures have probably captured the emotions I have experienced along the way.” The “true self,” which encompasses our childlike aspects, doesn’t cease to exist as we grow up. Rather, it transforms into an inner child within us that needs to be nurtured, comforted, and noticed. When I look at Mocca’s artwork, I sense a depth of wisdom and maturity within them. One specific piece titled, “Curiosity,” captures my attention. It depicts a boy wearing a giraffe hat and red swimming trunks, observing the world through a telescope. Curiosity is not exclusive to children. It’s just that as we grow older, we become more deliberate and discerning in our curiosity, leading us to seek truth, perceive reality, and reconnect with our inner selves, experiencing growth alongside our inner child.

I am curious about that matte, yet vibrant color. “I believe that everything in the world has its own way. For me, using natural pigments that are often used in nihonga (literally means “Japanese-style paintings”), such as gofun (made with oyster shell powder), suihi (adding dye to gofun), and mud pigment, to color the clay produce a harmonious and visually pleasing outcome.” It’s rather uncommon to use nihonga pigments in pottery. However, incorporating these pigments adds a distinctive and enchanting quality to ceramic work, similar to how colored pencils and pastels bring a dreamlike essence to paintings. “One of the reasons why I choose to combine clay and natural pigments is that it creates a cohesive and harmonious temperament in terms of form and color.” If growing up is only about creating a certain temperament, then maybe we don’t necessarily need to focus on comforting our inner child as we grow older? Despite growing and evolving, we are the same person, and the person we were in the past remains a part of us. Isn’t this what Mocca is trying to convey to us through her work? Differing from the smooth textures typically seen in pottery, the rough texture of Mocca’s work symbolizes the merging of her inner child and the person she has grown into. And it is what shapes the person she is today.