Ming Qian Chen has been a potter for thirty-five years. This is remarkable because it was at about that time that a renaissance of Taiwanese ceramicists birthed a new and distinct aesthetic and school. The Hualien native fell in love with pottery watching NHK (national television) specials about Sen no Rikyu and the origins of Raku in 1986. Very much before the Internet, he went to libraries, then bookstores to learn everything he could. Every time a Raku or Shino ware exhibition came anywhere to Taiwan, he took a train and went. While a Junior in college, he met another artist through a mutual friend at a pottery workshop—they are still married today.
Meet the Ceramist
Ming Qian Chen
Like all great ceramicists, Chen is particular about his media: his porcelain clay comes from Japan, white clay from China, and red clay from nearby Miaoli. Despite his Japanophile roots, he reached his present style through experimentation and an inner dialogue with Taiwanese artistic virtues. Each piece in this ‘Valence’ selection will gain a unique patina with frequent love and use. His work rarely appears anywhere outside of Taiwan—never outside of East Asia. We are so pleased to share Chen’s work with you.