World of Pots: The form, spirit and character of Yixing teapot Pt2

The art of producing zisha tea wares developed as the result of the cumulative experience of generations of potters and folk craftsmen. It has been an evolutionary process based on the characteristics of the purple clay and involving the continual refinement of traditional techniques.

In the previous posting, I mentioned that the renowned potter Gu Zingzhou, through continual research and and striving for refinement over the past half century, had concluded that three qualities are essential for creative endeavour in teapot making. They are form, spirit and character. I also discussed the various aspects of form, spirit and character that made the Yixing tea wares the daily utensils that combined functionality and artistic appeal to the users.

Art in itself is feeling and affection. However, even the strongest feeling has to remain numb without the knowledge of shapes, lines, volume and ratio and the solid training of pottery skills. A perfect work in itself is filled with a strong desire to be expressive and to affect people. Lines and surfaces are nothing else but signs of the inner truth. Our eyes penetrate the surface and reach to the heart. When we express a form image, we enrich it with our latent character.

If a new teapot possesses and harmonises the qualities of form, spirit and character, then it can be called a good piece of work. However, this is not easy to achieve. It requires solid basic skills, a rich experience in life, and well disciplined techniques. The potter has to understand and master clay material, techniques of shaping, firing, and a series of complicated production processes. In short, the art has to be precise, rustic, frank and has to express one's own feelings. To possess the qualities of form, spirit and character in a teapot, one's work needs to manifest a rhythmic vitality, demonstrating a powerful artistic effect.