Zhang Shuyun - Lotus Field Pottery Studio Introduction
"Located in the southern part of Zhushan Township, next to Xiaohuang Mountain, Chen Tan Alley is filled with lotus and seasonal flowers, making it a paradise on earth. Zhang Shuyu is the owner of the Chen Tan Lotus Field pottery studio. Zhang Shuyu is a native of Zhushan Township in Nantou County, and he has a deep passion for painting, with his spontaneous doodles igniting his creative journey. After experiencing the innocence of childhood and the struggles of youth, he dedicated himself to creating art shortly after his military service. ■ Devoting Himself to Painting and Sculpture Due to his childhood life in the countryside, Zhang Shuyu's creativity is enriched with inspiration. Every work he publishes resonates with viewers, earning him numerous awards. In 1992, he held a solo exhibition of Western paintings at the Taichung Cultural Center, which was a great encouragement for him at only thirty years old, marking the beginning of his professional artistic journey. Throughout his creative path, he has engaged in both painting and sculpture. He believes that painting is a form of flat art expressing in two-dimensional space, while three-dimensional sculpture not only conveys deep emotional resonance but also requires consideration of various angles in its structural composition, demanding stronger expressive power and offering artists more freedom in their expressions. Zhang Shuyu’s sculpture works are impressive, with representative pieces including "Little People's Rhapsody" from 2003, "Life Scene" from 2004, and the "Shadow. Thinking" series from 2008. ■ The Beauty of Imperfect Authenticity Zhang Shuyu's works mostly depict figures, utilizing mud glazes or matte glazes to present an honest and unpretentious texture. The traces left by bamboo knives evoke a realistic sense of expanding capillary pores and muscle lines without deliberate embellishments, inadvertently revealing the beauty of life's tragic flaws. Zhang Shuyu states, "This world is inherently imperfect; let's leave some space in our works!" Between exaggeration and restraint lies a tragic atmosphere that resonates with the audience’s inner depth, akin to the little people's rhapsody of Lu Xun's Ah Q, continually stirring the viewer's soul. Particularly, the "Shadow. Thinking" series directly projects floating shadows onto the works, revealing different readings between "consciousness" and "subconsciousness." In the ambiguous relationship between people and shadows, the unpredictable nature of humanity in the real world is hidden, raising the question of who is the true protagonist of the work, thereby highlighting the diversity of Zhang Shuyu's creative philosophy. ■ Skillful Landscape Creation and Sharing Friendship It's hard to imagine that such a sharp creator as Zhang Shuyu retains the simplicity of a rural person. He also enjoys landscape design, managing the surroundings of the Lotus Field pottery studio himself. The area surrounding his ancestral home, about two hectares, features lotus fields, lily ponds, ecological ponds, as well as wooden walkways, small bridges, and pavilions, resembling a paradise. To foster friendships with like-minded individuals, the original pottery studio has transformed into a beautiful garden café. The charming atmosphere often attracts many visitors who linger, yet to avoid interfering with his creative time, it is only open to the public on weekends. Zhang Shuyu has a passion for promoting pottery arts, and you can witness his live creations at public pottery demonstration activities and at the Lotus Field pottery studio."
