Zhao's Kiln Introduction
Zhao Family Kiln, established in March 1988, is located in Daya District, Taichung City, and specializes in lifestyle ceramics. The hand-painted lotus tea set is a signature product, intentionally distinguishing itself from the general market with handcrafted ceramics. Its operational goal is to cultivate and pass on local culture, hoping to promote and implement the knowledge learned into everyday life. The three brothers, Zhao Sheng-jie, Zhao Sheng-yong, and Zhao Chong-yuan, grew up in a family of artisans. Their grandfather (Zhao A-jing) and father (Zhao Yi-hsiung) were both woodworking craftsmen specializing in fine wooden products exported to Japan, making the three brothers skilled in craftsmanship and leading them to choose to study in art design programs during their schooling. They were exposed to various art and craft fields such as sculpture, photography, ceramics, painting, and design in school, coupled with the family's influence, which laid a solid foundation for their craft creations and resulted in the unique aesthetic experience of "incorporating ceramics into daily life." After graduating, the eldest brother Zhao Sheng-jie became an apprentice at Tianxing Kiln through a teacher's recommendation. Fifteen years ago, Tianxing Kiln was undergoing a transition toward lifestyle ceramics. During his two years at the kiln, Zhao Sheng-jie learned practical experiences such as wood firing and glazing, eventually returning to his hometown in Daya District, Taichung City, to establish "Yu Tao Fang" specializing in pottery, and set up a ceramics specialty store in a department store with a new generation marketing concept. Since it was a family-run ceramic company creating the pottery themselves and communicating directly with consumers, with the subsequent addition of his brothers Zhao Sheng-yong and Zhao Chong-yuan, it was renamed "Zhao Family Kiln." In recent years, they have designed a series of new tea sets, receiving considerable recognition through department stores and specialty tea ware shops. The Zhao brothers have held solo exhibitions at the Taichung City Cultural Center and the Meilin Art Museum in Chiayi, with the creative aim of integrating their creations into everyday life. In recent years, they have frequently been engaged in creating tea sets and tableware, collaborating with "Gengdu Garden" for events like the "Lotus Appreciation Festival." Zhao Sheng-jie has been actively involved in the development and design of new ceramic products, having been selected for the "Daily Use Ceramics" category in the annual ceramic product evaluations in 2003 and 2004, and was invited to exhibit at the "Creative Ceramics Pavilion" during the 2003 National Community Development Annual Conference.
