MAYA POON X QUIET EARTH

We admire the way Maya walks in this world — her poetic life and her curiosity to listen and learn from the old people and their ways. In her work rests a depth, a quietness and mystery — and in that, the innate connection between women and nature — womb and earth, speaks.

 

We collaborated with Maya in relation to our Village Pots and asked her a few questions about her mothers cooking growing up and her life as an artist. 

 

Words by Maya Poon

Photography & Video by Harley Maya

 

Maya Poon

BREWING a herbal infusion

vessel - village pot two.

 size - small

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Title

Can you speak to your mother's cooking and what are the feelings that arise when you think of her food?

I feel a profound tenderness when I think of my mother’s cooking. I remember she would cook in clay pots on special occasions, ones that look similar to yours. Her meals in clay were often my favorites, as I felt they brought a deeper depth to the recipe — something ancestral, something beyond. The ingredients would weave together into a beautiful story with more complex flavors than modern cookware. 

 

My feelings thinking of her food is one of immediate longing. 

 

Did you ever cook with your mother?

I cooked with my mother when I was a child as a way of preserving recipes of our culture. I remember, very early on in my childhood, already experiencing the fear of losing one of her recipes. They represented for me not only a meal, but our tradition, our culture, our moments together. 

 

One of my favorite memories is that on special days, we would spend an entire day sitting around the kitchen table, my mother, my sisters and I, making dumplings from scratch. The dough was soft, the smell was warm. We would steam some, pan fry some, freeze some as gifts. Food was always a way of spending time together.

Is your cooking now influenced by what your mother cooked at home?

Absolutely. I travel a lot and often for long periods of time. I have also made the conscious decision to live in less developed places like Oaxaca and Ibiza, where I share most of my time. Because of that, I am often very far from authentic Asian cuisine. Therefore, I cook what I long for. I really enjoy steamed food. I find it a more delicate and clean way of eating.

Maya Poon

preparing cacao

vessel - village pot one.

 size - small

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Title

Do you see your essence or nature as a young girl being expressed through your work and offerings now?

I have always been someone very curious, imaginative and open. I never had fear for the unknown even when I was young. I always enjoyed taking leaps of faith towards life and I loved inspiring others to do so as well. 

 

I think this nature is what led me to live such an alternative, out of the matrix life today. I believe my life is my art — therefore it is important to walk in integrity and in truth and to craft an every day life that is close to your heart. 

 

I see my work, my offerings and my life as one — one embodied and coherent ecosystem — not separated categories.

We know you are drawn to immersing yourself in indigenous culture, ways, crafts and wisdom. How has this influenced you, your way in the world and how has it shaped you as a woman and an artist?

It is difficult to describe how has immersing myself in indigenous culture shaped me as a woman and artist. I believe indigenous culture is a metaphor, or a synonym of truth, roots and a source beyond what is tangible. All of us livings have an ‘indigenous soul’, that is the soul and spirit expressed from you when you are the most connected to who you truly are, leaving all of your conditioning behind. When your path is clear, and you understand deeply the connection you have to all livings — animals, humans, the earth and the cosmo. 

 

I feel the most at home when I am immersed in indigenous communities, simply because I feel they are the most connected and the most true — in such a simple and authentic way. There is no second layer of emotions, they feel it all and vibrate and express it through their craft, their work, their being. Everything is in full cycle, everything is coherent. Being with them for me is the easiest as they feel like home. A place without a mask.

 

They inspire me to be the most truthful me. They show me that you can live honoring and creating with nature exploring beauty and intention in every aspect — that this path is possible. And they do it with grace, joy and playfulness. 

If you could share some of the wisdom you've gathered over the recent years to yourself as a teenager, what would it be?

You can take that leap of faith that you’re doubting — and beautiful things will come. The universe rewards the brave. Leave space in your life so magic can speak to you.