Taiwan+Ceramic+Art

[|//excerpt from Hsieh Tung-shan,《A history of modern Taiwanese ceramics》, Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, 2005, p.210-211）//]
 * Synopsis of a History of Modern Taiwan Ceramics**

__**Taiwan Ceramic: A brief overview**__ The first generation of ceramic artists of Taiwan helped transform Taiwan from traditional functional pottery to the modern era of contemporary ceramics. Taiwan’s ceramic industry began in the late 1940’s. These early artists imitated [|ancient Chinese porcelain] and were traditional in terms of pottery. The [|Japanese colonial government]introduced a Western educational system and with it modern art to Taiwan. Artists had contacts with western ideas through the study of art abroad; this eventually brought about a movement for local ‘Taiwanese’ art and culture. In 1949, the [|Chinese Nationalist Party] took refuge in Taiwan and proclaimed martial law. The government instituted Chinese style art, for example [|literati ink painting], other art was considered communist. The art was controlled and freedom of content was limited. Artists were unable to be creative in terms of their own style. Ceramics remained within the traditional framework of functional ceramics, making vases, bowls and pots until the late 1970’s. It was not until the late 1960’s that ceramists gained recognition. In 1968 the [|National Museum of History] held Taiwan’s first major solo ceramics show, featuring [|Wu Rang-nong (Wu Rhang-nung)]. The next decade ceramics exhibitions grew, many galleries had solo exhibits. A key artist during the 1970’s is Chiu Huan-tang (Ciou Huan-tang) who studied in Hawaii and introduced contemporary ceramics. During the 1970’s, artists began to voice their creative energy as a result of a variety of stimuli: rise of art salons; Europe and America modernism; and the rise of the consciousness of local identity and cultural resurgence. Under stringent suppression, this energy exploded and artist began creating art during martial law, as seen in [|Chen Chieh-Jen], Dysfunction No. 3, street action in 1983. Martial Law ended in 1987 and the visual arts moved forward at a rapid speed. Ceramics came into its own in 1986 when the [|National Museum of History] held it first biennial ceramic show. With the end of Martial law, artists explored: political issues, social criticism, Taiwanese culture and identity. Many of the new ceramic artists, born in the 1960-1970s began to study abroad. The new generation of ceramic artists brought back to Taiwan new techniques and ideas. Taiwan’s first ceramics museum the [|Yingge Ceramics Museum] opened in 2000. [|Yingge and its old street] became the center for ceramics on the island. Ceramic galleries and studio’s opened up. Many studios began catering to the tourist industry and opened their studios to the public, offering workshops and events. Contemporary Taiwan ceramics actively engages in international exchange, is global and reflects, “art has no boundaries”. ( Hsieh Tung-shan)

__**Traditional Style Pottery**__

[|Wu Rhang-Rung]A pioneer in the development of modern ceramics in Taiwan. He creates functional ceramics with creative surface decorations. []

__**Contemporary Pottery**__

[|Yu Cheng-Zhong]A break from the traditional style vase this artist creates contemporary vases with a twist of nature. http://www.ceramics.tpc.gov.tw/Exhibition/LY/C18E.htm

[|Chivy Chen] hand builds with slabs and carves the surface to create functional ceramics of clocks, tea trays, screens, vases, and candle holders. http://www.ceramics.tpc.gov.tw/Exhibition/LY/bc01.htm

__**Sculpture**__ Chiu Huan-tang (Ciou Huan-tang) was an English professor in Hawaii and began ceramics as a hobby. He returned to Taiwan and became one of the first ceramic sculptors. He often uses metaphors, utilizing his love of literature in his pieces.

 [|Fang -Yi Chu], grand prize winner of the [|2008 Taiwan Ceramics Biennial]. He uses sculpture clay and the pinch method to hand form his objects which are electric fired. His work is best described as visual dairy's and story's through memories.

http://www.artsdealer.net/2008/eng/program_004_4.html

[|Hsu Yung Hsu (Hsu Yunghsu)] won the [|2008 Mino Prize in Japan]. He perceives clay as the material of life, malleable with many ideas and different approaches. His works are abstract and project not the idea of limit but the power of life.

[|Shida Kuo] works are created primarily with coils to create organic mysterious forms with slits and cavities that reveal the darkness within. The works convey playfulness and sexual innuendo blended with beauty. //http://www.123soho.com/artists/featured/f_artis...category=M//

[|Ting-Ju Shao] creates narrative mixed media sculptures, incorporating comical, hand-built multiples of the human figure and birds, critically address social and environmental issues and the human condition. Her work varies from small to large scale installation.



  [|Winnie Yang (Wen-ni Yang)] earned her M.F.A from the University of Missouri in ceramics. She deeply influenced modern ceramics in Taiwan. Her works ranges from early works of vessels to current landscape sculpture. //http://www.taiwanclayart.org.tw/t_a_02_g1.html//
 * __PUBLIC SCULPTURE __**



[|Yuan-tai Yang] creates large scale public sculptures. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gusstiffpottery/670882946/in/set-72157600047044355/

[|Chien-fu Wu] creates large colorful mystical outdoor sculptures some of which are mosaic, in the style of [|Niki Saint Phalle]. http://www.taiwanclayart.org.tw/t_a_02_j1.html

__**SOURCES**__ []Contemporary Taiwan Ceramics []article about Chiu Huan-tang bu Kelly Her, 2006 []article about Yingge and Taipei Ceramics [] Council of Cultural Affairs, Tracing the Origins of Taiwan Art []Yingge Ceramics Museum, Chiu Huan-Tanf []Artist work phots, Yang, Yuan-tai [] Artist work, Yang, Yuan-tai []Excellent website about Taiwan Ceramics, artist works, some with video [] Gallery, Hsu Yung-Hsu []Gallery, Hsu Yung-Hsu [] Library with information on Hsu Yung-Hsu [|Schwartz, Dr. Judith]. Enlightened Clay, The Abstractions of Shida Kuo, Ceramics: Art and Perception No. 58 2004: 38-39 [|Silberman, Dr. Robert], University of Minnesota, interview during residency forwarded by the artist Ting-Ju Shao