Pottery: Beyond Texture—A Cross-Disciplinary Medium of Innovation

In recent years, creators from diverse backgrounds have entered the field of ceramics, continuously expanding its possibilities through distinct forms of expression. The European Ceramic Work Centre (EKWC) in the Netherlands is especially known for welcoming practitioners from non-traditional ceramic disciplines, offering outstanding facilities and technical support to enable experimental approaches. This lecture brings together three artists from varied creative fields who have chosen ceramics as their medium of practice. Drawing on their residency experiences, they will share innovative insights into how ceramics—through its techniques, mindset, and contextual relevance—can inspire creators across cultural disciplines, while also reflecting on the medium’s engagement with local contexts.

Chen Hsiang-Jung, a ceramic artist whose creative journey began in London, often juxtaposes his ceramic works with objects made from contrasting materials. These combinations amplify the qualities of each element, with composition, addition, and subtraction forming harmonised arrangements. His works oscillate between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, generating visual dissonance that introduces intrigue and a surreal sensibility. Detached from their original referents, his creations become pure explorations of form and colour.

Yen Yu-Ting, an artist with a background in ink painting, weaves themes of futility, imbalance, and at times sensuality into both her paintings and ceramic works. Following her 2019 residency at EKWC, she began independently studying ceramic techniques and history. Her 2021 solo exhibition, The House of Uselessness, presented a collection of ceramic homeware and ambiguously functional objects, striking a subtle balance between humour and practicality.

Chia Hsün-Ning, a graduate of the Industrial Product Design programme at Shih Chien University, draws on her upbringing in Taitung, which instilled in her a strong connection to the land, craft traditions, and raw materials. Her project Fibered Ceramic merges her industrial design background with natural elements, using plant fibres to shape ceramics through an experimental process. This unique approach explores new dimensions within ceramic practice, producing works that both draw inspiration from and give back to nature.