Curtis Yu

Contact: curtisyu@yutangceramics.com

Instagram: yutangceramics

Curtis Yu formally studied Ceramics at Western Washington University, Tacoma Community College, Whatcom Community College, and at Quyang Dingci Chinaware Co., in northern China. Yu Tang Ceramics was established in March, 2015. The character “Tang” is an ancient Chinese word meaning “style of” in reference to ceramics of the Tang dynasty. The name Yu Tang translates to “The Yu style ceramic ware.”

THE LANGUAGE OF CLAY

Curtis is fascinated with the endless expressive possibilities of clay. He loves to immerse himself in the sensory journey taken in ceramics - from the earth as clay, to being molded with human hands, to being set permanently in fire. He finds throwing on the wheel a moving meditation where he can become empty of life’s distractions.

“I use ceramics to express my identity as a Chinese American. My work incorporates influences from Chinese art, mythology, language, and culture from brush calligraphy to carved motifs. ”

— Curtis Yu, Owner, Yu Tang Ceramics

Curtis creates a variety of wheel-thrown functional and decorative pieces. After the form is created he finds ways to finish the piece that allow for a certain degree of unpredictability. Curtis loves the art of Raku, and is influenced by the horse hair pottery of the Southwest Native Americans. He layers glazes that flow, separate, join, and concentrate within the textures of chatter marks and curves of the wheel thrown forms he makes.