HereThe x Sammi Mak Garden of Senses Teacup

Sammi Mak is a London-based painter originally from Hong Kong. Her work transforms emotional states and sensory perception into fluid brushstrokes, open space, and layered abstraction. As a queer and neurodiverse artist, Sammi’s practice is deeply rooted in bodily sensitivity and emotional rhythm.

For Garden of Senses, Sammi collaborated with HereThe to co-create a teacup that would carry her artistic voice into daily life. It was her first time turning a painting into a functional object — and the process was slow, thoughtful, and beautifully experimental.

Together, we explored how sensory experiences, especially from a neurodivergent perspective, could be reflected in form and material. We went through multiple rounds of sampling, discussing different teacup shapes, glaze textures, surface tones, and tactile weight. From wide-brimmed forms to softer, inward silhouettes; from matte washes to watercolour-like fades — each decision was shaped by questions like:

• What kind of cup feels emotionally grounding?
• What colour brings softness without dulling expression?
• How does the light play across the surface?

Sammi shared how certain materials and shapes evoke feelings of safety, while others can overwhelm the senses. These conversations shaped not only the final design, but our entire understanding of what it means to drink tea with feeling.

The resulting teacup is gentle, grounded, and painterly — like holding a quiet, porous moment in your hand.