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■TAIWAN CERAMICS AND THE CHINESE
CERAMICS ASSOCIATIONS, TAIWANヾ SHIH-HAN CHEN,
FORMER CHAIRMAN OF THE CCAT
The development of ceramics in Taiwan, like other places across the earth,
has a "prehistoric" period. Seven thousand years ago, rope patterns and
otherkinds of lined patterns already decorated pots. Abundant remains of
these Taiwanese aboriginal prehistoric ceramics have been found in over
a thousandsites all over Taiwan.
During the Sung and Yuan dynasties. (960-1367 AD), pottery came to the
Pescadores Island of Taiwan through the "Silk road on the sea" Later, during
the late Ming and Chin dynasties (1367-1911 AD), Immigrants from Fukien
and Kuangtung Provinces in China brought with them a culture of Chinese
pottery. Representative among these are low-fire Chiao-chih pottery, and
the 200 year tradition of Nan-tou pottery. Furthermore the Japanese occupation
of Taiwan saw the rise of the Miao-li pottery area and the Ying-ko pottery
area.
After the World War II, a group of senior potters played an important role
in the development of ceramics on Taiwan. Among these were Mr. Tsai Chuan-chu,
Mr. Lin Pao-chia, Mr. Wu Jang-nung, Mr. Wu Yu-tang, Mr. Cheng Huan-tang
and Mr. Wang Hsiu-kung. They represented the influence of Chinese and Japanese
ceramics in Taiwan. Their studies and creations were an outstanding accomplishment
and a critical contribution to the development of Taiwanese ceramics.
Especially, during the 1970s, Mr. Lin Pao-chia and Wu Yu-tang both of whom
returned from Japan, and Mr. Wu Jang-nung, who graduated from Beijing Art
College in China continuously cultivated and educated talented ceramic
artists.
In the late 1980s, another group of artists, including Mr. Chiu Huang-tang,
Mr. Lee Liang-i, Ms. Yang Wen-ni, Mr. Sun Tsao, Mr. Feng Sheng-kuang, Mr.
Yang Tso-chung and many other prominent ceramic artists provoked a rapid
development in modern ceramic art all over Taiwan.
In the 1990s, ceramic societies began in many places in Taiwan. The Chinese
Ceramics Association Taiwan was founded on the 20th of September, 1992.
With over 400 members, including the most senior and most outstanding artists
in Taiwan, the CCAT is the largest private ceramic group in the country.
The purpose of the CCAT is to promote the creation of ceramic art, advance
international cultural interaction and to create an appreciation of ceramic
art. Its organization includes a board of directors, whose current chairman
is Mr. Tsai Jung-yu, a supervisor. Under the board's direction are the
secretariat and committees for international interaction, publication,
academic activity, exhibitions, and business.
Since its inception, the CCAT has been pursuing the following activities:
1. Promotion of an annual ceramic festival with exhibits as well as hands-on
activities and demonstrations.
2. Assistance to local governments, schools, cultural centers and charity
organizations in order to promote ceramics activities.
3. Sponsorship of conferences and workshops on academic or technical aspects
of ceramics, as well as regional get-togethers.
4. Publication of ceramic journals to facilitate the spread of open and
objective news and information.
In its original local colors, contemporary Taiwanese ceramics has become
internationalized and obtained a greater variety of styles, mainly because
of the advance of electronic communication.
Therefore, through the introduction of this internet station, our association
hopes to further provide services and more opportunities to the ceramic
artists and groups in Taiwan and around the world, so that we can learn
from each other and promote professionalism and a sense of comradeship.
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