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Touch of glass: Simplicity without Chinese cliches
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FOR glassmaker Wang Qin, Oriental luxury does not glitter and does not contain clichéd “Chinese elements” such as bamboo, lotus and Buddha.
His works are starkly simple and dramatic; he says they have a Zen quality.
Unlike other artists who work in glistening, transparent glass, Wang prefers to use opaque black, gray and milky white, evocative of Chinese ink-wash paintings.
A very shallow opaque white bowl on a small pedestal is shaped with four rounded, petal-like sides. A dramatic vase of irregular, transparent glass contains a floating inner design that appears to be black ink crosses or strokes reminiscent of Chinese characters. Sometimes “accidental” milky fragments float inside gray glass.
“The shape and nuance of hues in the works are profound with a Zen touch,” he says.
“To me, this is Chinese luxury. It involves continuously experimenting with shape and color, polishing and firing. All this is pure hand labor and I enjoy the whole process.”
His first series was inspired by ancient Chinese literati’s passion for unusually shaped rocks, such as Taihu rock from Taihu Lake in Jiangsu Province. The stone is famous for bizarre shapes and large pieces are often used in landscaping traditional gardens. Smaller rocks may be placed on pedestals and contemplated.
Last year, Wang created his own glass brand, Qin, around six objects and tools from a traditional scholar’s studio, including brush wash pots, incense holders, inkstones, paintbrush pots, paperweights and pen rests.
His glass works take two directions: installations and works that explore the nature and possibilities of glass and works, with an Oriental touch, that can be used in daily life.
Wang was born in Jingde Town, Jiangxi Province, a famous “cradle” of Chinese ceramics. At first he followed in his predecessors’ footsteps and majored in ceramics.
But he changed direction in 2003 when he visited at international glass art exhibition at Shanghai Art Museum and was astonished as the possibilities of glass.
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Born in 1972 in Jingde Town, Jiangxi Province
Graduated from Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in 2000
Studied as a post graduate in the Art Glass Department of the Shanghai University Academy of Fine Arts
Teaches in the Art Glass Department at Shanghai University Academy of Fine Arts
Works collected by the Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Scottish Museum, Shanghai Expo Museum and Shanghai Museum of Glass
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