Mickey Espino finds the beauty in the imperfect.

Kintsugi (金継ぎ, pronounced as keen-tsoo-gee) is a traditional Japanese art of repairing broken pottery using lacquer and precious metals. Instead of hiding the damage, the cracks are finished with gold or silver, turning them into a unique feature of the once-broken piece. 

To me, Kintsugi is more than just a repair. It’s a powerful metaphor for healing, resilience, and hope. At its core, Kintsugi reflects the belief that there is beauty in brokenness. It shows us, in a deeper sense, that even in pain, imperfection or challenging times, we can find meaning and discover beauty. The message of Kintsugi is both comforting and liberating. We heard this many times, "nobody is perfect" and Kintsugi liberates us that our imperfections can be beautiful and meaningful.

My background in arts, philosophy, and psychology allows me to enrich the experience of Kintsugi in a way that feels deeply human, personal and relevant. I am continually exploring how the art and philosophy of Kintsugi can foster psychological well-being.

Right now, I’m based in Ōtepoti Dunedin, where I’m running Kintsugi workshops as part of my research and project. The response from the community has been incredibly heartwarming. People come in curious, sometimes carrying invisible heaviness, and they leave feeling lighter, reflective, and often moved by the process. They’re not just fixing broken ceramics; they’re reconnecting with parts of themselves, recognising that their own “brokenness” doesn’t diminish their worth but adds to their meaning and beauty.

Running these workshops has helped me grow too, just as much as the people who participated. I’ve come to realise that this gentle, hands-on process opens space not just for healing but for storytelling and human connection. It’s a reminder that healing and meaning-making don't always come through words. Sometimes, it comes through sanding, fitting pieces together, and dusting with gold.

Kintsugi not only teaches us about uniqueness. It also creates a sense of community and togetherness. It reminds us that we all carry some form of brokenness, and by acknowledging it, we learn to reach out with kindness, empathy, and understanding towards others too. Hence, this project is called The Art of Mending Together.

My hope is to enrich and expand this project and connect with more groups and individuals across the community. Whether it's through local organisations, health initiatives, or creative spaces. I’d love to bring Kintsugi to places where it can bring meaning to people's lives…or simply brighten someone's day. That, to me, is gold!