There is a Korean term, 손맛 (sown-maat) that directly translates to “Hand Flavor.” This word cannot be found in the English dictionary, however the Korean dictionary defines sown-maat as the “flavor that comes from the use of the hand when making food.” This word places great emphasis on the role of the hand and the effect it has on the outcome of the final product. For many Koreans, the act of sharing food is seen as an exchange of care and love. When I see these Tupperwares, not only am I reminded of the amazing food that my mom cooked for me, but the thought and care that went into the preparation and completion of each dish.
손맛 is an installation of Tupperwares filled with small unfired clay forms. The small forms found inside semi-transparent Tupperwares invite the viewer to get closer to the piece, to inspect each form closely and notice the smudges, fingerprints, and various residual markings. In its unfired state, the clay readily responds to the maker’s hand and can be transformed endlessly. Through this work, I aim to further explore the notion of the hand as a material. It is my hand flavor, developed through personal histories and experiences, expressed through the tactile immediacy of the clay.
