Hong Kong Potters transform clay into unique ceramic vessels

In Love, Stoneware, pinching and slab-building, Lo-Wai-yip, Derek

Ceramic art and tea drinking culture

The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware started the “Tea Ware by Hong Kong Potters Competition” in 1986, aiming to encourage public interest in tea appreciation and ceramic art.

Manifestation of my own galaxy, Pottery, throwing, Lam Yung-nok

This 12th edition of the competition has been enthusiastically received by local potters with 458 tea set submissions, of which ninety-six are on display.

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Over the years, the competition has created a platform for ceramic lovers to observe and learn from each other.

Bamboo Tea Brewing set, Cheung Wai

Transforming clay into aesthetic and functional vessels requires an understanding of different types of clay and skill in manipulating the material, whether that be by pinching, slab-building, beating, throwing or moulding — and then a lot of understanding and a bit of luck firing the clay at over 1,000 degrees C in a kiln. 

The ineffaceable record, Pottery, pinching and slab-building, Chan Yee-man, Megan

Each year entries to the Hong Kong Potters competition are judged on originality, artistic creativity, production techniques and functionality.

Calmness!, Stoneware, slab-building and throwing, June Chiu

This year’s shortlisted and winning works of the open category illustrate the versatility of ceramic tea ware and cover a wide range of topics.

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There are works that respond to current social affairs, such as life amidst the pandemic; observation of nature; thoughts about tea culture; and reflections on personal life.

Track, Yeung Man-chi

In terms of expressive techniques, some works demonstrate the creator’s pursuit of traditional craftsmanship, as shown in zisha (purple clay) pots.

Robot tea ware, Pottery, pinching and slab-building Central and Western District, St. Anthony’s School, Yip Ho-nin

Others show the marriage of visual elements and a variety of forms and shapes.

Hong Kong Potters range

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Different artistic styles are conveyed through a range of special decorative techniques by Hong Kong Potters.

First prize, Open Category: Social Distancing, Stoneware, pinching and slab-building, Anna Leung

In the Open Category, the first prize was awarded to Anna Leung’s Social Distancing, while the second and the third prizes went to Fion Yuen’s Laminated Colour Clay and Vitus Szeto’s Aye, Aye, Captain respectively.

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The Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware is a branch of the Hong Kong Museum of Art that specialises in the collection, study and display of tea ware.

Second prize, Open Category: Laminated colour clay, Purple clay stoneware, pinching, slab-building and beating, Yuen Sze-ying, Fion

At its core are the generous donations of Dr K.S. Lo (1910-1995), which includes many fine examples of the famous Yixing teapots.

Third prize, Open Category: Aye, aye, captain, Vitus, Stoneware, pinching and throwing, Szeto Kin, Photo Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware

Built in the 1840s, Flagstaff House originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong.

Wanderlust, Pottery, pinching and throwing, Leung Sen

It was converted to the Museum of Tea Ware in 1984 with a new wing, The K.S. Lo Gallery, added in 1995.

Hong Kong Potters for ceramic lovers

Tea after pandemic, Law Hon-wah

Over the years, the competition has created a platform for ceramic lovers to observe and learn from each other.

To my beloved mother, Stoneware, throwing, Wong Tsz-shan

Alongside its special exhibitions, the Museum holds regular demonstrations, tea gatherings and lecture programmes to promote ceramic art and Chinese tea drinking culture.

Laboratory (II), Li Shing-hung

Text & Photos Martin Wray

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