Meet Jaewon Jeong

We were lucky to catch up with Jaewon Jeong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jaewon, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

My resilience comes from the many cycles of breaking and rebuilding — both in my life and in my ceramic work.
When I was diagnosed with cancer and went through surgery, I had to face stillness and vulnerability. Clay became my mirror — fragile yet strong, soft yet enduring. Every time a piece cracked in the kiln, I learned something about patience and acceptance.
This process taught me that resilience isn’t about resisting change, but about shaping yourself again and again — like clay under the wheel. That quiet repetition, the rhythm of my hands centering the clay, gave me strength and balance during my recovery.
Now, I carry that same calm persistence into every part of my life — in my art, my teaching, and how I connect with others.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Jaewon Jeong, a ceramic artist based in Texas and the creator of mullè ceramics.
The name mullè comes from the Korean word for “pottery wheel,” symbolizing the rhythm, repetition, and balance at the heart of my creative process. Most of my work is wheel-thrown, embodying both physical stability and emotional calm.
My practice blends Korean traditional aesthetics with a modern minimalist sensibility. I often draw inspiration from the textures and forms of my childhood in Korea — moon jars, mother-of-pearl lacquerware, and Buncheong ware — and reinterpret them in a contemporary way. By layering natural materials such as clay, glaze, and occasionally lacquer or nacre, I seek to bridge cultures, memories, and time.
What excites me most about ceramics is the dialogue between fragility and strength. Clay carries both — it can be soft and vulnerable, yet enduring and timeless. Through my work, I want to express that quiet resilience and the beauty found within imperfection.
Recently, my focus has expanded beyond functional pottery to include installation and mixed-media works exploring healing and rebirth. My upcoming series, inspired by the theme of renewal after loss, combines clay, natural lacquer, and floral forms as metaphors for transformation and hope.
Through mullè ceramics, I aim to create not just objects but emotional spaces — pieces that invite reflection, calm, and connection. My hope is that each work carries a sense of stillness and warmth, resonating with those who encounter it.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Areas of Knowledge
Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped both my artistic and personal journey are patience, observation, and authenticity.
Patience has been the foundation of my work as a ceramic artist and in life. Clay teaches me that beauty takes time — from shaping and drying to glazing and firing, each step requires presence and care. When a piece cracks or fails, it becomes a lesson in acceptance and persistence. I’ve learned that growth isn’t about speed or perfection, but about returning to the process again and again with calm focus.
Observation fuels my creativity. Inspiration often comes from quiet, ordinary moments — the texture of earth, the color of morning light, the rhythm of daily life. Paying attention to these small details helps me create work that feels grounded and sincere. My advice for emerging artists is to slow down and look deeply at the world around you. Creativity grows when you truly see.
Finally, authenticity gives my work meaning. As a woman, mother, wife, and daughter, I’ve lived through many changes and learned to honor every stage of my life, even the imperfect ones. When I went through illness and recovery, my art became a reflection of that transformation. I realized that authenticity is not about doing everything perfectly, but about showing up with honesty and heart.
Together, patience, observation, and authenticity have guided not only how I create, but how I live — with intention, grace, and gratitude.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

The person who has been most helpful in my journey is my husband, Seok-gi, along with our daughter, who has quietly shown me what strength and love look like in their purest form.
Last year, I was diagnosed with cancer. For the first time, I had to pause everything — to rest, to heal, and to face stillness. That period was filled with fear and uncertainty. I worried about losing my rhythm as an artist, and even more, I felt guilty that I couldn’t give as much to my family.
But during that time, my husband stood beside me with calm, steady faith. He never pushed me to be strong; instead, he simply stayed — reminding me that my worth was not defined by productivity or achievement, but by being present and whole.
And our daughter, though young, showed a kind of quiet maturity that deeply moved me. She focused on her own path with grace and independence, showing me that she could stand on her own. Her calm confidence gave me emotional safety — teaching me that even when I couldn’t help her, she was growing in her own way. Watching her resilience became a source of healing for me.
Their love and patience allowed me to rebuild slowly — both physically and emotionally. I learned that healing, like shaping clay, takes time. My family’s unwavering support helped me return to my art with a deeper sense of peace, gratitude, and purpose.

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Jaewon Jeong

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