Zhang Shuying - Lotus Field Pottery Workshop Introduction
Located in the southern part of Zhushan Township, near Little Huang Mountain, Chen Tan Lane is filled with lotus flowers and seasonal water lilies, creating a paradise-like setting. Zhang Shuyu is the owner of the Chen Tan Lotus Field Pottery Workshop. Born and raised in Zhushan Township, Nantou County, Zhang has a deep passion for painting, and his spontaneous doodles sparked his creative journey. After experiencing the innocence of childhood and the struggles of youth, he resolutely immersed himself in the world of creativity shortly after completing his military service. ■ Devoted to Painting and Sculpture Zhang Shuyu's childhood farming life enriched his creative inspiration. His published works resonate deeply with viewers and have earned him numerous awards. Notably, in 1992, he held a solo exhibition featuring Western painting at the Taichung City Cultural Center, which served as the best encouragement for him at just thirty years old, marking the beginning of his professional creative path. Throughout his artistic journey, Zhang has engaged in both painting and sculpture. He believes that painting is a two-dimensional art form that expresses in flat space, while three-dimensional sculpture not only conveys deep emotional resonance but also requires consideration of multiple perspectives in its structure, demanding greater expressive power and offering the creator more freedom of expression. Zhang’s sculptural works are commendable, including notable pieces like “Rhapsody of Little Characters” in 2003, “Life Scenes” in 2004, and the “Shadows and Thoughts” series in 2008, which stand as his representative works. ■ The Authentic Beauty of Embracing Flaws Zhang Shuyu's works primarily feature figures, with colors presented in earthy glazes or matte glazes, showcasing a genuine and understated texture. Without deliberate embellishment, the traces left by bamboo knives reveal a realistic sense of flexing pores and muscular lines, inadvertently exposing the beauty of life's tragic imperfections. Zhang states, “This world is inherently imperfect, so let the works retain some space!” Between exaggeration and restraint, there exists a grand atmosphere, akin to the "Rhapsody of Little Characters" reminiscent of Lu Xun’s Ah Q, continuously stirring the viewer's soul. This is where Zhang Shuyu achieves success in his creations. Particularly, the "Shadows and Thoughts" series directly reflects floating shadows onto the works, creating varying readings of "consciousness" and "subconsciousness." The entangled and ambiguous relationship between people and shadows conceals the unpredictable nature of humanity in the real world, leaving the question of who truly is the protagonist of the artwork, further highlighting the diversification of Zhang Shuyu's creative philosophy. ■ Crafting Landscapes and Sharing Friendship It’s hard to imagine that someone as sharp as Zhang Shuyu retains the simple character of a country person. He also enjoys landscape design, having personally handled the surroundings of the Lotus Field Pottery Workshop. Encompassing around two acres around his ancestral home, there are lotus fields, water lily ponds, ecological pools, and he has also built wooden walkways, bridges, and pavilions, creating a paradise-like retreat. To meet like-minded friends, the Lotus Field Pottery Workshop, originally a studio, has transformed into a beautiful garden café. The charming atmosphere often attracts many visitors, who linger but to prevent disruption to his creative time, it is only open to the public on weekends. Zhang has a passion for promoting pottery, with his live creative demonstrations at public pottery events and at the Lotus Field Pottery Workshop being a testament to this commitment. (Content and images from the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute)
