Yau Chung Tong

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Yau moved to the United States with his family in his teens. He gained a BA in Ceramics at the California College of Art in 2017. Before moving to London to study at the Royal College of Art, he worked as an instructor at the American Museum of Ceramics Art and a studio technician at Pasadena City College.

Yau has been working with clay on the potter's wheel for thirteen years. His practice is currently studio-based, where he continues to research and develop glazes as well as seeking new thrown forms.

My work focus on the functionality of objects and the experience that craft brings into our everyday life. The creative process with clay captures an impulsive emotion with me on the potter’s wheel and an inner narrative at a particular moment. Every pot carries messages to the user. I enjoy the uniqueness in each of my work, as well as the unique personality and life experience of each person that I have encountered. It is important for my work to bring visual sensations to the users and take part in their daily life. This motivates me to be a ceramic artist who strives to reveal the true self of clay and find the best balance between the material, potential users, and myself.

Lots of thought goes into the making of my vases. I often ask myself what kind of vases I would like to bring to the users. Some vases are already beautiful by themselves without flowers. They move towards sculpture. Some vases embrace the beauty of flowers. They sit quietly at the table with minimal attention. However, when flowers come, they become a feast for the eyes. I have been seeking the balance between them.

Medium:

Stoneware

I have five members in my family including myself. Each of us has our own bowl. Each bowl represents an individual person on the dinner table. The happiest moment is always the time when there are five bowls. It is the time that we have the most joy and happiness.

Medium:

Stoneware

balance Bowl ceramics craft Everyday Object forms object Stoneware tableware

I am always interested in trying out different clay bodies, especially porcelain. One day I was standing on my balcony and saw a breathtaking sunset. The sun was shinning extremely bright behind the cloud. I wanted to capture that particular moment of London through my work using porcelain.

Medium:

Stoneware, Porcelain, Wood, lightbulb

forms Furniture lamp Landscapes light Porcelain Sculpture sunset Woodcut

Yunomi: Cup without handles (Japanese)

When I am sitting in front of the potter’s wheel, I often remind myself that someone could be holding one of my ceramics in their daily life. It gives me a heightened sense of mindfulness. Pots may represent the emotion of the maker, yet they aren’t complete without the interaction of the user.