Firing up a passion for ceramics

Creating surprises

He was amazed by the transformation that occurred during the firing process, where pieces of the same color that went into the kiln would emerge with an array of different shades.

However, as the years passed, Xin lost interest in clay and went to work in a mechanical factory for three months, during which time, his hands, once accustomed to working with clay, touched hard, unyielding metal.

He soon realized that, unlike being a lathe operator, which requires following strict rules, his passion lay in more creative pursuits.

From then on, he has been practicing making colored glaze. "My fingerprints have been worn off, so I can't use them for fingerprint recognition or opening my electronic lock. My hands are no longer responsive to these tasks," Xin says.

One of Xin's signature designs is his Ruoque (meaning "as if defective") cup, which has won him numerous awards. At first glance, the vessel looks roughly produced, but it's actually made with a delicate touch.

According to Xin, the cup is inspired by the Taoist work, Tao Te Ching, and he believes that truly great achievement does not come from perfection.

The origin of the design comes from a cup he once made that cracked, and it looked like the bark of an old tree. Xin, inspired, after numerous attempts, finally created the Ruoque cup. It is made from rough clay with fine craftsmanship. Although its exterior appears utilitarian, the rim, bottom and inside of the cup are crafted with exquisite detail.

"I used a combination of clay and other special materials to create a chemical reaction that resulted in an irregular pattern of cracked glaze," Xin explains.

"When you drink tea from the cup, you won't feel any scratches or roughness, and the handle of the cup will also become smoother with use," Xin says.

His Yuanrong (meaning "harmony") cup is another of his signature items. The smooth, round, bulbous-shaped cup has no support at its bottom, but cannot be knocked over.

According to Xin, the meaning behind the design is to encourage people to be flexible and adaptable, and to not be stubborn.

One of Xin's works features a white-goat pattern that emerged naturally during firing. Xin explains that this is the uniqueness of color glaze, which often brings unexpected surprises. "You will never make another with the same pattern," he says.