The Way of Fire, Ash, and Wood: "Gold-Silver Glaze x Celadon – Hsien-shui Yao Wood-Fired Ceramics Exhibition"

In the wood-fired kiln where flames and ash intertwine, the works from Hsien-shui Yao (Liang-p'ieh Wood Firing) present a deep dialogue between ceramic art and nature and time. This exhibition features gold-silver glaze works and celadon vessels fired using the unglazed wood-firing technique, showcasing the unique aesthetic of fire marks dancing with ash. The gold-silver glaze is dazzling yet not ostentatious, while the celadon is warm and restrained; both reveal the truest expression of the material through the natural fusion of unglazed fire and ash.
The "Jadeite Celadon Series" from Hsien-shui Yao is a creation that only emerged in recent years. Using traditional wood-firing with bare clay bodies and no synthetic glazes, it seeks the purest natural beauty. Unlike typical wood-firing, the firing time is extended to three or even four times longer. This long journey allows the wood ash inside the kiln ample time to gently and finely settle on each piece like snowflakes, forming a flawless layer of natural ash glaze. Thus, the pieces bid farewell to the traditional "yin-yang face" of wood-firing, presenting a perfectly natural full-glaze effect.
When the kiln temperature reaches the peak of 1250–1300°C, the wood ash melts on the clay surface into a thin, transparent glassy layer. Remarkably, when this natural glaze covers the iron-rich clay body, it instantly transforms, blooming with a warm, enchanting emerald-like green luster. This is not just ceramics; it is an artistic creation completed by nature, fire, and clay together.
Dazzling and serene, fierce and gentle – these seemingly conflicting dual characteristics are perfectly combined in the wood-fired works of Hsien-shui Yao. The artist, Tsai K'un-wei (Liang-p'ieh), integrates traditional kiln-firing techniques with modern thinking, continuously exploring the contemporary expression of wood-firing. Between chance and control, he seeks a balance where the work coexists with nature.