"Clay plus fire equals pottery. A new civilization is born." This saying sums up the philosophy behind the development of Chinese pottery into the world's most brilliant.
Today, a new generation in Taiwan is shaping clay to keep the tradition alive, and even launch Chinese ceramics on a new path. One of these new artists in clay is Winnie Yang, who has spent most of her life studying Chinese and Western techniques.
Miss Yang now lives in the village of Niaosung in Kaohsiung County in southern Taiwan. Her study, a small room lined with asbestos tiles, is located on a balcony atop her house. At the foot of the stairs are a kiln, an electric wheel, a table covered with wet clay and an array of green pottery items. The room is filled with the smell of clay. As Miss Yang starts to speak, the scene is set.
Kneading some wet clay between her fingers, she recounts how she launched her career. "Since I was a small child, I've been enchanted by art and sculpture. When I was in high school, I still found time in my busy schedule to engrave chops. After I graduated, my father received an invitation to be a guest lecturer in the U.S. I applied for a full scholarship, and went with him to begin my college career."
After graduating in 1971, she entered the University of Missouri's Mathematics Department. Later, she switched majors to the Art Department, placing her main emphasis on ceramics and design. Within a year, she had obtained an M.A. degree. In 1975, she returned to Taiwan with her husband, and was invited to study glazing techniques at the National Palace Museum. Her work there exposed her to a vast array of Chinese pottery. Each day, she would handle big glazed vases and other artifacts, and sometimes repair ancient treasures. She conducted deep studies into the Tang tri-color and Ming blue techniques. "I received a different inspiration from the objects of each era I studied," she recalls.
She went to Koungkuan in Miaoli County to obtain her clay, which is noted for its color and texture. "Finer raw materials can be found overseas, but it is better to develop Taiwan's ceramic art entirely from within," she says.
Although the techniques used in making ceramics are basically simple, they have differed from era to era, in terms of formula, firing style, color and texture.
Most of the things Miss Yang makes have a practical application, such as plates, tea-pots and ash-trays. "Most people find such items more acceptable. But there is a minority, of course, which appreciates beauty for its own sake. Both types of customer prefer hand-made ceramic products to the purely commercial variety," Miss Yang says.
Explaining why so many of her works lack color, and stress pastel tones, she says: "I believe that clay has a hidden power and life of its own. Pottery should retain this quality. That is why I seek style rather than richness of color," she says.
"Last year, I visited the Lukai tribe of aborigines in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan. Black slate found in nearby quarries is used universally to build houses, repair roads and even make lawn furniture. As a result, the architecture is completely harmonious. It made me realize that only by blending with nature can one create true beauty."
Winnie Yang was trained in the West, and obtained all her equipment and techniques, including kiln, fire control method and colors, from that source. But the inspiration for her work, in terms of simplicity, refinement and significance, is entirely Chinese.
"One must first become immersed in the legacy of our ancestors and the source of Chinese tradition before considering the introduction of today's concepts of creativity and fashion," she says.
In November last year, she held her first exhibition since she returned to the Republic of China. More than 100 objects in varying styles, colors and textures, each with a characteristic natural appearance, were put on display. Despite the praise heaped on her from all sides, Winnie Yang insists on charging less for her works than most other galleries. Answering those who consider this debases her art, she says: "I like to think that everyone who appreciates my work is able to obtain at least one example."
[Picture Caption]
1. Artist Winnie Yang has completed her education in Western ceramics and conducted thorough research into Chinese pottery.
1. Yang and her tow daughters, 2. At work in her studio. 3.4.5. A teapot and other handicrafts made by Winnie Yang.
1. "Trio" 2. "Flower" 3. "Eternity" 4. "Couple" 5. "Can"
Yang and her tow daughters,.
A teapot and other handicrafts made by Winnie Yang.
A teapot and other handicrafts made by Winnie Yang.
A teapot and other handicrafts made by Winnie Yang.
