Discover Sue Ure Ceramics on Gohobi, a Unique Oriental-Inspired Platform

Discovering Gohobi’s out of the ordinary website and learning about the personality behind it.

Shih-Che Huang is the the founder and managing director of Gohobi, a remarkable tea and homeware website I discovered after meeting him at this autumn’s Top Drawer trade fair in London.  Huang, or Evan as he said to call him, had stopped by my stand because his eye had been caught by the visible influence of eastern ceramics on my new studio bowls.  

As we talked about our taste in ceramics, Evan told me a bit about his background:  he comes from a Taiwanese family but was educated in London and Paris, and had become intrigued by how culture influences aesthetic choice and taste. He had been thinking of a career in corporate finance before deciding to use the business skills learnt in both the corporate and non-profit sector to create his own brand. The brand messages he wanted to convey with Gohobi offer a simple yet powerful ethos: “Buy Less, Buy Better and wabi-sabi - a philosophy that values simplicity, warmth, and authenticity amid the rush of everyday life.”

As a designer-maker who’s spent a lot of time looking at all sorts of ceramics, but with a particular enthusiasm for ancient ceramics across many cultures, it’s impossible for me not to be awed by the quality and sophistication of oriental ceramics. So I’ve found myself fascinated and often delighted by the broad range of the ceramics (particularly) on offer on Gohobi’s website. It is an unusual selection in the breadth of the price range and in its distinctly oriental style and sourcing. In contrast, my Ambit collection - now available through Gohobi - is made for me in Sri Lanka. The influences that are most evident in the collection are more British mid-century, with a dash of Scandinavian simplicity than anything else. So I’m delighted that Evan and Gohobi have found an echoing cord in my work, despite its cultural influences being quite different - however the shared ethos is strong.

A commitment to work designed to be enjoyed and appreciated over time, made with care, responsibility towards both maker and the environment and an essential serenity and simplicity. I hope you enjoy their interview with me, link above, and I strongly recommend taking a look at an fascinating and unusual website www.gohobi.co.uk