In celebration of the 2025 Taiwan Craft Festival, the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI) launched the “Lin Tien-fu Centenary Commemorative Exhibition” on May 20. The exhibition honors the 100th birthday of late Taiwanese ceramist Lin Tien-fu (林添福, 1926-2019), highlighting his remarkable contributions to the nation’s ceramic arts.
Lin was born into a family with strong ties to pottery culture; his grandfather owned a kiln in Taichung’s Dajia District (大甲區). He began working independently as a ceramist at the age of 14, developing his skills through hands-on experience and gradually mastering a wide range of techniques. Throughout the rise and fall of Taiwan’s pottery industry, Lin remained steadfast in his dedication to the craft, continually innovating to adapt to the times. His artistic oeuvre encompasses three primary themes: traditional pottery, ceramic sculpture, and contemporary wood-fired pottery.
At the exhibition’s opening ceremony, NTCRI Director Chen Tien-li (陳殿禮) remarked that as the institute marks its 71st anniversary, it is promoting the concept of “SLOHAS”—a blend of “slow” and “lifestyles of health and sustainability (LOHAS).” This philosophy is embodied through the art of craftmaking and highlights six core values: Simplicity, Lifestyle, Originality, Health, Aesthetics, and Sustainability.
The exhibition is on view through Oct. 15 at the NTCRI Miaoli Branch. For more information, visit the NTCRI official website.