Christina Da Graça & Songshu Liu

From the Ground’ is an art exhibit showcasing the work of OCADU students Christina da Graça and Songshu Liu, exploring woodworking and ceramics. This collection reflects their intimate connection with clay and wood—both materials sourced from the earth. Through their creative processes, the artists highlight the raw beauty of these materials, allowing their natural imperfections to shine. The exhibit invites viewers to engage with the tactile, elemental qualities of the works, celebrating the authenticity and strength found in the simplicity of the materials. The event will be hosted at the Bulthaup Toronto Showroom, providing a contemporary backdrop that complements the timeless, earthy essence of the artwork.

We began by brainstorming keywords that we felt encapsulated our work, words like organic, imperfect, and nature. We quickly realized that a common theme in our work is staying true to the natural state of the materials we use—clay and wood. It’s all about letting their raw, organic qualities come through in what we create. After hours of exchanging ideas, Sean suggested ‘From the Ground, and it instantly resonated with me and I said, Let’s do it.

We believe that clay and wood are nature and life, and that when we touch them we are feeling nature and experiencing it. They have an imperfect, natural and organic expression. This expression sometimes connects and resonates with us like a "self-portrait". The process of creation is more like a process of accepting the imperfections of the self. 

Photos: Works by Songshu Liu

Honestly, at face value it doesn’t. Bulthaup is all about clean lines, precision, and perfection, whereas our work is more free-flowing, chaotic, and unrefined. But that’s exactly why I think it works so well! Our curator Jolene Kessler did an excellent job at allowing the showroom to create a striking contrasting backdrop to our pieces, and I feel like it highlights the beauty in both Bulthaup’s design and our work. 

I started working with clay during a semester when I was in the process of changing my major. I picked it up just to fill my time, but the moment I touched clay, I fell in love. I’ve always struggled with 2D art mediums because they felt intangible to me. With clay, it’s completely different—it feels intuitive. There’s this connection from my heart to my hands to the material that I’ve never experienced with any other medium. 

I first got into wood when I was doing modeling for my major class, and in the process I was exposed to a lot of wooden artwork from craftsmen in different countries (on social media, in school, in art galleries), and that was the beginning of my attraction to wood. In the summer of 2024 I started to work in a wooden furniture factory and every time I saw a lot of "offcut" going to waste I felt bad, so I started to collect them. That was the beginning of pinewabi! When people started liking my work I knew that pinewabi was part of my future life.

 For me, it’s all about respect…letting the clay be what it wants to be. It might sound a little crazy, but I try not to force it. It takes a lot of effort to make clay smooth, straight, and refined, but my ceramics teacher always says, ‘Clay has a memory.’ While she means it in a different context, I interpret it as the clay carrying a story from the moment it’s sourced and purged to when it finally ends up in my hands. It comes from the ground, and I see that as part of its identity. When we look at the earth, we don’t describe it as seamless. It’s messy and chaotic, but it’s also full of life, and that’s the energy I try to channel in my work. 

I just mentioned that most of my materials are recycled from discarded wood in factories and school studios. I believe that even the salvaged wood has a way to show its uniqueness and beauty, we just need to feel and see it in a different way or angle, and finally carve them in their own way.

Photos: Works by Christina Da Graça

This might be a bit taboo for a craftsperson, but I’m honestly not too focused on functionality right now. The world already has plenty of mugs and bowls. I’m not opposed to my work serving those purposes, but for me, it’s more about experimenting and trying unusual things, even if they don’t always succeed. As I grow and develop as a potter, I think functionality will naturally become more integrated into my work, but definitely as an afterthought. 

Carve them the way they belong. 

Nope! Sean and I parallel each other in a lot of ways. Our work is different, and our approaches vary, but the message we’re trying to convey is so similar. Plus, aesthetically, our pieces complement each other beautifully! Jolene recognized that from the start, and it’s why we even pursued exhibiting together. 

I'd say yes, but no. Because with the name "From The Ground" everything made sense and came to life. 

Photos: A display of works by Songshu and

Christina at the Bulthaup Showroom

Although we are both studying Environmental Design, which certainly helped us in many aspects, we really do owe so much to Jolene’s many years of experience. As Songshu mentioned, she made the entire process feel seamless. It was incredibly helpful to have such a talented and trusted person guide and assist us throughout. 

In this process, we faced our challenges and issues with a positive mindset…it’s all about learning and enjoying life. I also want to emphasize that this exhibition was not just designed by the two of us. Jolene, our curator, was the most important planner throughout the entire process. While we both have experience in spatial design, it was Jolene’s expertise and vision that truly helped us bring the exhibition to life.

As Christians our sentiment "From The Ground" expresses our desire to be closer to nature thereby, closer to God. It’s all about a natural way to feel things around you, a natural way to accept your flaws and imperfections, a natural way to share joy and love. 

I hope this exhibit encourages viewers to find a sense of reconciliation within themselves…that they, too, are from the ground. A verse that really resonated with Sean and me, and helped us connect spiritually to this exhibit, is: ‘For dust you are, and to dust you shall return’ (Genesis 3:19, NKJV). Whether someone is Christian or not, we hope to serve as a reminder that we are all just dust—and to reconsider how we define human perfection. 

The impact is one that has lasted, and it has helped me become more aware of my surroundings and the things in them. It helps me to think outside of a lot of "boxes" when it comes to designing and creating art, so I can be more creative. 

Both of us are wrapping up our final year at OCADU, which means we’re getting ready for GRADEX in May. I won’t give too much away, just stay tuned!

From The Ground is on view now at the Bulthaup Toronto showroom, learn more

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