Meet the artist
Hand crafted with Australian clay, each chawan tells a story
"My vision was to make the wares that served the tea."
Lesley Hurley – Co-Founder of Chai Collective & Artisan Ceramic Artist
Lesley Hurley, co-founder of Chai Collective, is often found in her home-based ceramic studio, where she joyfully experiments with clay. With over 20 years of experience in the tea industry, Lesley has developed a deep love for both tea and craftsmanship, which has inspired countless journeys to Asia's tea regions.
Together with her partner, Matt, they’ve explored some of the finest artisan teas and collaborated with skilled craftspeople, a journey that continues to influence Lesley’s ceramic pottery today. Every piece Lesley creates is designed with tea culture in mind, blending her passion for ceramics with her instinctive creativity.
Lesley Hurley on Creativity and Self-Expression
When asked about her creative journey, Lesley Hurley, co-founder of Chai Collective, shared her belief that everyone is an intuitive, creative being capable of self-expression in unique ways. "Imagination allows us to bring thoughts and ideas to life," she says. Lesley believes that creativity isn’t limited to art or music - it can emerge in unexpected places, such as gardening. For her, creativity is what fulfills us, enabling us to express both our inner world and our connection to the world around us.
Lesley Hurley on the Role of Creativity in Life
For Lesley Hurley, co-founder of Chai Collective, creativity has become an essential part of daily life, especially after experiencing times when she lacked an outlet for it. Reflecting on those challenging moments, Lesley recognizes that creativity—particularly working with clay—helps her reconnect with her inner self. "Clay is so responsive; it doesn’t like to be rushed," she explains. When approaching her craft with haste or pure logic, the pieces often fall apart, reminding her to slow down, breathe, and embrace her intuition. In these moments, she finds herself fully present, where everything fades away, and it’s just her, the clay, and her creative instincts.
Lesley Hurley on the Power of Stillness and Creativity
Lesley Hurley, co-founder of Chai Collective, hopes everyone experiences the profound stillness where time stands still and thoughts fade away. "It’s incredible to witness how creativity unfolds when the mind takes a step back, and breath leads the way," she reflects. In these moments of clarity, we become open, aligning with our natural, loving state. This deep sense of presence is what fuels her creative process and allows her to craft meaningful pieces with intention and mindfulness.
"I encourage you to give it a try.
Let go of expectations and simply play.
If ceramics isn’t your thing, find the passion or interest that sparks your creativity and dive into it.
The best advice I’ve ever received is simple: Just Play".
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