An exhibition displaying 54 pottery works created by Taiwanese ceramic artist Lin Jui-hwa (林瑞華) between 1997 and 2022 is being held at Exhibit Halls 1 and 2 of the National Changhua Living Art Center until Feb. 5. His lifelong pieces of work preserve and document the use of traditional techniques, carrying his mission of passing on the skills to the next generation. The works on display show his persistence in passing on the skills and the journey of pursuing the ceramic’s true state.
Lin is the second-generation successor of the Zhunan Snake Kiln (竹南蛇窯), which was registered as a Historic Building of Miaoli County in 2002. He received the "Taiwan Crafts Workshop" certification in 2012 and made the Guinness World Record of highest temperature in a wood-fired kiln at 1563°C. Besides promoting the continuation of the traditional pottery craft and the aesthetics of wood-fired ceramics in everyday life, he has been committed to promoting the concept and the practice of environmentally friendly wood-fired ceramics, in the hope of reversing the public’s notion that wood-firing is harmful to the environment.
The wood-firing event "Rekindle the Ancient Kilns" held by the Ceramic Arts Association of Taiwan Province in 1994 inspired Lin to devote himself to the creation of wood-fired kiln. Taiwanese ceramic artist Tsai Jung-Yu (蔡榮祐) once said that "The most beautiful piece is still within the kiln walls," leading Lin to contemplate how to present this beautiful glaze color in his own work. After years of hard work, Lin was able to successfully deposit the kiln sweat onto his works in 1999. In 2001, he announced the "Multi-Colored Kiln Sweat". In 2012, Lin once again broke the limits of wood-firing, announcing creations fired at 1500 degrees, and explained his idea of the "Mother Glaze (釉母)." The Mother Glaze is not about the pursuit of outer beauty, but the essence of clay and fire. Lin promotes Mother Glaze with a heavy heart as he wants to reflect on how we humans use fire and clay.
He draws an analogy between the snake kiln and a miniature globe. He emphasizes the concept of coexistence with nature and the philosophy of harmony between man and nature, creating unique characteristics of Taiwanese pottery.