“IF DESIGN IS A SHARP STRAIGHT LINE, THEN ART IS A WIGGLE WITH EMOTION,” DESCRIBES TAIPEI-BASED CERAMICIST AND GRAPHIC/SET DESIGNER HSIAN JUNG CHEN.
Tell us a little about Hsian Jung Chen, who you are and what you do.
Hsian Jung Chen: I am a ceramicist and graphic/set designer based in Taipei. Although I’m not professionally trained in ceramics (I completed an Advertising BA in Taipei and have an MA in Creative and Cultural Entrepreneurship from Goldsmiths College in London), I went to a pottery workshop in my neighborhood when I was in London. I loved it, and have kept making pottery ever since.
Could you please introduce ‘The Fruit Shop’?
HJC: The Fruit Shop is the brand name of my pottery. I get inspiration from fruit and vegetables – their appearances, smells, flavors, textures, and even my memories. It’s like closing my eyes and trying to capture the impression, combining specific characteristics and feelings evoked by certain fruits and vegetables.
The one-of- a-kind nature undoubtedly adds value to the objects; do you find that viewers respond well to the work’s unique and individual personalities?
HJC: Definitely. Especially nowadays as most things are mass-produced using machines – a human touch adds a unique charm to things. I view my work as slotting somewhere between design and art, veering closer to art. For me, if design is a sharp straight line, then art is a wiggle with emotion. I make pottery by hand and I try to embrace the imperfection of my work.
Cantaloupe, Image © Hsian Jung Chen
How about the color scheme, we noticed lots of yellow and blue.
HJC: I like yellow and blue! Many fruits and vegetables are yellowish. And blue goes well with yellow… I’d like to try different color glazes in my work, though. Glazes are quite mysterious and tricky sometimes – I’m always learning their secrets! People may think my work is colorful, but you will see the ‘dark side’ in my new series.
Any ‘fruits’ in particular that you are most fond of – your favorite flavor?
HJC: When I was a kid, I liked sweet fruit, like cantaloupe, mango, and litchi. Now I’m fonder of fruit with a lighter and subtler flavor, like guava or wax apple.
Any upcoming exhibitions or news that you’d like to share?
HJC: I will have a solo show at Pon Ding in Taipei this July. Pon Ding is an art space combined with a bookshop and cafe which opened in March. I will show my new work – coconut series. Also, I will show some pieces I worked on in collaboration with artist Son Ni. This September, my work will follow nos:books to the NY Art Book Fair at MoMA PS1. nos:books is a pioneer in Taiwan’s independent publishing scene. We’ll try a fun way to trade the work instead of simply selling and buying. Stay tuned!
