臺北科大藝文中心

Exhibition Period｜2018/11/19～12/10

Ceramics originally emerged as a material for everyday utilitarian objects, emphasizing practical functionality. Over time, it was adapted for ceremonial vessels and ritual instruments, gradually evolving into the realm of fine craft to become one of the earliest art forms in human civilization. This year, the Taiwan Ceramic Society’s exhibition centers on iron oxide, one of the most common natural minerals on Earth. As a foundational element of natural soil and stone, iron is inherently present in almost all pottery clay. Because iron possesses exceptional coloring strength, iron oxide can tint glazes into a rich spectrum—ranging from a honey-like pale yellow to deep iron-red, intense espresso brown, and even absolute black—infusing the fired pieces with a grounded, mysterious elegance. The exhibition brings together a stellar lineup of mid-career and veteran Taiwanese ceramicists alongside international artists from Japan, the United States, and three featured creators from the Clayarch Gimhae Museum in South Korea, significantly strengthening ties with the global art stage. Among them, South Korean ceramicist Son Hyun-jin’s piece, Robot, brilliantly transforms the traditionally rugged, cold silhouette of a machine into a rounded, whimsical ceramic teapot, showcasing immense creativity and ingenuity. Attending the exhibition, a civil engineering student from Taipei Tech remarked: "My impression of ceramics used to be limited to childhood DIY pottery wheels in Yingge and the structural ceramic materials mentioned in my engineering classes. This exhibition has opened my eyes to an incredible variety of masterpieces, letting me witness the vibrant, diverse horizons of contemporary ceramic art." Taipei Tech President Wang Sea-fue, himself a renowned expert in ceramic materials science, noted that ceramic art is the perfect crystallization of aesthetics and technology. It not only drives cutting-edge applications in tech industries but also blossoms into unique, sublime works of art. Taipei Tech continues to spearhead technological R&D alongside a humanistic revival movement. President Wang believes that in an increasingly intelligent future, students must cultivate deep humanistic literacy and art appreciation skills to remain irreplaceable by AI. He encourages students to emulate the exhibition's theme, "iron oxide," by embodying a spirit of high adaptability and collaborative action, ultimately elevating their cultural literacy to make meaningful contributions to society.

Performance Highlights