Potter Wang Hui-min shows small is beautiful

英文中國郵報 The China Post

ARTS & LEISURE
Tuesday, August 20, 2002
By NANCY T.LU The China Post

Potter Wang Hui-min recreates the landscapes of his mind on his ceramic works of art. The collection which is on view at the Ceramic Art Museum until Aug. 31 belongs to private collector Hung I-tsang. The pieces represent works from different periods.

    Small is beautiful, goes the saying.

    Potter Wang Hui-Min is exhibiting a collection of small works at the Ceramic Art Museum.

    Actually it is Hung I-tsang who has thought of showing his private collection of items created by this particular artist and craftsman from the pottery town of Yingko.

    Hung began collecting ceramic pieces in 1986. He has a reputation for sweeping the works of artists he fancies. In a way, he is supporting them through such a gesture.

    Wang, who has spent more than two decades playing with clay, confessed; “In the deep of the night, when all is quiet and still, I often find myself examining my ceramics, relying on both feeling and reasoning to introduce and justify changes and innovations on existing designs. My creative explorations are dictated by my belief in cherishing the old and appreciating the new.”

    Wang’s ultimate goal each time is to come up with works of medium and large sizes along specific themes. The small ones are born during the experimental stage when he finds himself seeking another breakthrough. However, there are days when he just sits staring blankly at the potter’s wheel. Inspiration does not always come when he tries to summon it.

    In producing small pieces, he tries his best to ensure that the products boast exquisite, ingenious and perhaps, unique designs.

    “A small ceramic object is something you can hold in your hand,” he remarked. “You can play with it. You can feel its surface. You can likewise visually admire its shape and lines. The glaze is another aspect to examine. The colors are just as interesting. After a while, you can even begin to understand the frame of mind under which it was created.”

    From a small gem of idea come the big works of art, stressed Wang.

    Wang is trying to remind viewers about the perspective in which his collection of small ceramic objects is to be best appreciated. What has great appeal is not too costly but is practical, simple and beautiful in design, he said.

    The landscape of his imagination is laid before the eyes of the pottery lovers. That is what is important.

    Hung I-tsang is behind the Ceramic Art Support Association. The Changhua-born Hung first arrived in Taipei when he was 16and with only NT#100 in his pocket. He went to work in a textile mill to support himself through school.

    Over the years, Hung managed to engage in different businesses. At one point he was selling flower vases.

    Wang’s retrospective show of sorts will run till Aug. 31.

    The Ceramic Art Museum (tel. 2518-3678) is located at 127 Chienkuo North Road, Sec. 2, in Taipei.