"My work is the betrayal of traditional ceramics…but from the standpoint of history, no matter how innovative the ceramic art of today is, it will inevitably become the traditional ceramic art of tomorrow"
Recognised as one of the first contemporary ceramic artists in China, Lu Bin can be likened to a Chinese Bernard Leach, Father of British studio pottery. At a time when most ceramic artists used ready-made clay or commercial glaze, Lu crafted his works from scratch - from collecting clay to building kilns and firing.
Lu extensively experiments with clay techniques, coloured slip and firing methods. Producing a new lexicon of pottery techniques through his experiments, his command over the material properties of clay allows him to make poignant social commentaries.
After 25 years of ground-breaking ceramic masterpieces, Lu returns to a small project from his undergraduate days. Taking his early experiments with zisha purple-sand clay, tempered with technical skills mastered over decades of making, his '97 Flower Vessels' was the only Chinese artwork to have been shortlisted for the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.
zisha - purple sand clay is always associated with Yixing teapots, traditionally made by slab-building. Completely subverting clay traditionally used for teapots, Lu's works are reminiscent of ancient Chinese bronze bells and vessels, with the patina of rusted metal and aged leather.
Lu studied ceramics at the Nanjing University of Arts. He returned to his alma mater in 2002 and continues to teach there.