Returning once again to New Taipei's Yingge Township in September 2018, the Taiwan Ceramics Biennale will spotlight Asian aesthetics with a focus on the historic background and ancient influences of what molded the contemporary ceramics of today.
When the first artists painted on cave walls and formed statuettes, it might have been to record, ritualize, and explore their spirituality, or even connect with the sacred. Inhabitants of the 21st century, however, seek out instant gratification and live in materialistic cultures that demand fast production on a massive scale. What are the roles and end goals of artists today?
The evolution into Homo sapiens led to another level of awareness and empathy. Humanity has long been rooted in shared experiences, and artists work not only to express their personal feelings, but also to interpret what touches the spirit of such collective memories. As they reach into the depths of the human spirit and measure the quickening pulses of life, ceramic artists and their work remain a reflection of themselves and society at large.
With a focus on modern Asia, the core of the 2018 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale extends from Japan, the Asian pioneer of contemporary ceramic arts, to the United States, its Western counterpart. Visitors will be introduced to the origins of Asia’s modern ceramics after World War II and how the East became a source of influences to some Western ceramic artists. The exhibition will also examine how Eastern artists find inspirations within their own cultures.
Curated by Shao Ting-ju (邵婷如), the 2018 biennale is themed "Humanistic Return: The Spiritual Origin of Ceramic Art" to highlight the original link connecting human life to earth, and explore the possibilities stemming from humanistic creation and time. The aim is to open dialogue on the different schools of Asian ceramic arts from the perspective of Taiwan’s history and culture.
Apart from exhibiting works by more than 40 international artists, the half-year biennale will also offer residency opportunities at the host venue, Yingge Ceramics Museum, and collaborate with important ceramic museums throughout Asia. Senior curators, researchers, and creative professionals will also be invited to share their experiences through workshops and lectures at the museum.
2018 Taiwan Ceramics Biennale