Zhurong
Ceramic
6 ft tall
January–March 2016
Zhurong is the prequel of another work, Chinatown Hangover. Zhurong is the Southern God of fire. Ceramic has long been associated as a vessel. The piece was originally a large traditionally painted Chinese jug in which I was planning to marinate my grandma’s wine recipe. The dragon and symbols painted on the vessel represent strength and eternity. However, upon the revelation of the piece after the firing, its purpose can not be served: the vase cracked and slanted to the side as if kicked by the God of fire himself. Coincidentally, the same day, I came across a picture of a God riding twin dragons. With closer inspection, the painting depicted Zhurong in the Classic of Mountains and Seas, 1597. It is also interesting to note, the second character of Zhurong, (‘Rong’ ?) is combined of two radicals, cauldron and snake. With new unanticipated knowledge gained, I repurposed the piece and added elements to create the shrine and honor the moment Zhurong decided to kick over my jug.
Chinatown Hangover
Ceramic
6 ft tall
January–March 2016
High-Fire Ceramic Chinatown Hangover is the result of much contemplation about my piece Zhurong. With great courage, I hammered the large standing jug into small shattered pieces. The jug was strongly built: the process of destruction wasn't easy. Finding the point of destruction was not easy either. Furthermore, in the process, flying shards hurt me as I tried to break this body of fired clay. The act of deliberately breaking this piece taught me to be bold as an artist. I learned that a beautiful past must be broken for a new mentality to be built to shatter tradition and status quo.
