Predestined to meet at Chashan Kiln
– The ceramic works of Gao Feng and his students 2016
Introduction
There is another delightful harvest time for Chashan kiln this autumn. Three years ago, the first batch of three young apprentices finished their training and moved on to their independent careers and individual developments in pottery. Today, another two apprentices graduate and are set to forge ahead in their journey of life.
China has been much admired worldwide for her exquisite ceramic ware (aka china). Today, in the process of modernisation, this precious traditional art embodying a thousand years of wisdom and tempering in kilns is silently declining, a phenomenon that all Chinese who love her history and culture are most unwilling to see.
In 2008, Chi Lin Nunnery set up Chashan kiln in Donggua City, modelling it after the world famous Longquan kilns. In a joint effort with ceramic artist Mr. Gao Feng, the kiln formally took in apprentices, to train them in Tang and Song dynasty ceramics, for passing on and developing this exquisite art and craft. Chinese ceramics reached their zenith during the Tang and Song dynasties.
Spring flowers lead to mellow fruits in autumn. We are glad to see the recently founded Chashan kiln, full of vitality and life. Three years ago, the first batch of three graduates received wide appreciation when their works were exhibited in Xiang Hai Xuan. Later, they each won a bronze medal in a national ceramics competition. Now the second batch of two student potters will proudly present their achievements from five years of hard work. As waves in a river push forwards, the young men at Chashan kiln follow the hard-earned trail of their predecessors, and march forth on the long journey of pottery. They are a new strength in the revival of Chinese ceramics.
