Date of Award

Spring 6-1-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Ceramics

First Advisor

Lesley Baker

Second Advisor

Anina Major

Third Advisor

Nicole Cherubini

Abstract

Filling the empty corners and walls with my favorite stuff in my house is essential for me to feel secure. Thus, I make pieces that I imagine being surrounded by the best collection by placing and organizing them in a touchable distance, such as wall shelves or bookshelves in my own space. I feel both physically and mentally comfortable with the atmosphere that these objects create and convey to me as a relatively sensitive and introverted person.

The state of being free from agitation and disturbance to me is the prerequisite to conduct studio practice. Being able to focus on pieces fully requires calmness despite my external manifestation. Doing ceramics offers me many meditative moments that, sometimes, when I am throwing, with my wheel spinning and my hands touching clay, the softness of the clay and the regular movement of the wheel both settle my mind. Besides, I feel I am creating a tiny life when making the limbs for my vases out of a clay lump by sculpting, carving, and eventually sponging to get a smooth and human-like skin texture. This meditative process guides me to have a better understanding of myself. It is therapeutic that makes up for my regret and helps me getting rid of the traumas from past experience.

I get inspiration from everywhere. I realize the features of my appreciation that I come across might not even be noticeable or considered attractive by others. For example, they might be the color palette of cut flowers in a grocery store, an image in a fashion magazine, etc.

I personify my artistic work in multiple forms and endow them with the quality of being exquisite as "live" objects.

Comments

View exhibition online: Fengkun Yu, A Journey to the Deep Self

Download

Included in

Ceramic Arts Commons

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.