Hsu Tzu-han
Hsu Tzu-han majored in visual art during undergraduate studies, and acquired an MFA in applied arts from the Tainan National University of the Arts. Now working and living in Lukang, she finds inspiration from decoratives in local temples, such as plants, flowers, fruits, and various abstract patterns. In recent years, Hsu mainly makes functional ceramics, hoping that her works can convey sentiments like gifts.
Since 2015, Hsu has participated in art workshops in the United States, South Korea, and Finland. From 2015 to 2018, her works were presented at exchange exhibitions in China, Japan, and other countries. In 2021 and 2022, the artist held solo exhibitions in Taiwan and Japan. After graduating, Hsu worked in art galleries for some time, before establishing her own pottery brand, “A⊆Z.” In 2023, she took residency at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, exploring ceramic art in depth.
- Location Japan / Koka
- Year of the Grant 2020
- Residency The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park
- Work Plants from an Unknown Universe
The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park to ceramic makers is a place of aspiration. Before the pandemic, I visited the place once. Captivated by the natural surroundings, hillside wood-fired kilns, and well-equipped studios there, I had a feeling: “this is it!” Once the residency was confirmed, I started to make plans about what I can do during my time in Shigaraki, what breakthroughs I can make for my creative career, and whether I can strike a balance between my roles as an artist and a craftsperson. I also want to explore the relationship between functional ceramics and sheer artistic creations. With these goals in mind, I set off for Japan.
Every third Saturday in July, Shigaraki hosts a fire festival dating back several hundred years. Resident artists are welcome to participate in crafting fire torches beforehand and accompany the procession to the ceramics shrine in the mountains on the event day. During other times, artists have the opportunity to gather clay from specified sites for their future work.
I organized a presentation of my works at the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park on August 15, 2023, entitled “Plants from an Unknown Universe.” The exhibition consists of two series: “The Mysterious Language of Flowers” and “Encounters with Plants in Shigaraki.” With “The Mysterious Language of Flowers,” viewers can choose their preferred artworks and open the lids of containers to read prophetic flower messages. “Encounters with Plants in Shigaraki” is based on my observations of life in Shigaraki. I hope to integrate local culture and my experiences during the residency into plant sculptures. While my works may seem like something from an unknown universe, they actually embody my inner feelings about the residency in Shigaraki.
Author: Hsu Tzu-han
Edited: Brix