Artists
Photo Credit: NIU Chun-Chiang
Yeh Yi-li
Yeh Yi-li
| Location | Japan / Koka |
|---|---|
| Residency | The Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park |
| Year of the Grant | 2022 |
| Work | Ninja Tanuki Wise Man and Tanuki Ninja Tanuki and Pine Tree Turtle and Pine Happy Dragon Year |
Artist statement:
Creating objects in existing landscapes – the "landscape & objects" series has been the focus of my work in recent years. I am deeply inspired by the changes between the axes of time and space to make art. Established over 30 years ago, the Shigaraki Ceramic Cultural Park in Koka City, Japan has become a pilgrimage site for the contemporary ceramic artists worldwide. It is therefore my most anticipated residency destination.
Hailed as one of the 6 Ancient Kilns of Medieval Japan alongside Seto, Tokoname, Echizen, and Tanba, Shigaraki has a history that spans nearly 1300 years. Rising during the construction of the emperor’s Shigaraki Palace, the region was chosen for its proximity and abundant supply of high-quality clay to produce roof tiles and everyday ceramics for the royal residence. This laid foundation for Shigaraki as a center of ceramic art and its long-lasting legacy.
[The residency motivation: I have come for "large objects!"]
I heard years ago that Shigaraki owned several gas kilns capable of producing large sculptures. Also, the region is rich in clay suitable for such creations. Therefore, my objective for this residency program is to create large-scale sculptures.
[Shigaraki Tanuki, Guishan Island, and the Exchange of Landscape and Objects]
Originating from Shigaraki and spreading out to Koka City, every household holds faith in the luck-bringing tanuki. A mascot crafted in the form of Shigaraki pottery, the tanuki serves as a powerful mythological symbol and a guardian spirit for generations of ceramics artisans. It has even become a cultural emblem that embodies a shared destiny. Drawing from the memories of my island life in Taiwan, I integrated the imagery of Guishan Island and Shigaraki’s sacred tanuki into the scenery and objects created for this residency project. Using the sculptural components I am familiar with alongside video techniques, I crafted a series of sculptures infused with stories, characters, and contexts. I leaned on the stacking of ceramic sculptures, introducing modern vocabulary to this ancient material. By excerpting the forms of ready-made objects, I designed playful aesthetics for my work.
Author: Yeh Yi-li
Edited: Brix