At the age of 16, a serious interest in ceramics was sparked when he went to Coromandel, to work with the pioneering New Zealand potter, Barry Brickell, at the Driving Creek Pottery. There he learned to get a feel for the clay, how to use the potter's wheel and some of the other secrets of hand thrown pottery.
When he returned to Auckland, Jengis furthered his training with his father, Richard Poor, formerly a professional potter.
Jengis set up his own studio, first in Mt Albert in 1989, then Parnell in 1990, and began developing his own range of ceramics, a mix of domestic ware, and larger sculptural pieces decorated with one-off designs. In 1995, Jengis left New Zealand to spend two years sailing the Pacific and Indian Oceans, exploring the art and culture of the different people and regions. When he returned to New Zealand, he re-established his studio, and inspired by his travels, started to produce a new range of domestic ware based on themes of the Pacific.
His current medium is high-fired earthenware clay sourced in the South Island, stained with metal oxides and finished with a clear over-glaze. All his work is hand thrown on a traditional Bernard Leach kick wheel, and Jengis individually hand decorates each piece.
Jengis' artwork, including larger one-off pieces, can be found in art galleries throughout New Zealand.