Artist Interview: Chia Ying Wu on Tableware, Tea, and the Quiet Craft of Ceramics
- Monica
- Apr 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 5
Chia Ying Wu is a ceramicist, designer, and craftsperson based in Taipei. Her hand-crafted vessels, tea cups, bowls, plates, are as quiet and essential as the everyday rituals they accompany. To Wu, objects are not just tools of function or containers of beauty, but extensions of the lived experience itself. We caught up with her ahead of her upcoming stay at the Basel Art Summer Camp to talk about her journey, her fascination with tableware, and the meditative practice of tea.
Chia Ying, thank you for making time to chat with us. Let’s begin with how you first found ceramics - was it something you were formally trained in, or did it emerge more organically over time?
I first discovered ceramics when I was about 16, at a vocational school called SSVS. We were exposed to all kinds of crafts like metalwork, textiles, woodwork, ceramics, and it was through that hands-on experience that I realized how drawn I was to clay. There was something immediate and grounding about working with it.
Later, I chose to study at National Taiwan University of Arts (NTUA). The training there was very holistic, we learned about ceramics not just as an art form but through scientific and technical lenses too. That foundation helped shape me not only as a maker, but also taught me to think deeply about what it means to create something with care.
After graduating though, I hit a bit of a pause. I wasn’t sure how to turn this passion into a career. I worked in restaurants for a while, stepping away from clay, while I figured things out. But eventually, I found my way back. Over the past 10 years, I’ve made ceramics my full-time profession. In many ways, it has felt like a journey of self discovery and coming home to myself.
What does your current studio setup look like? Do you work independently or in collaboration with others?
I work out of a shared space called Lucid Dream Studio. It’s a studio where artists can rent space and kiln time. I actually prefer this setup to having a private studio. I love the exchanges that happen when you're surrounded by other artists who understand the language of ceramics. Creating can be isolating, but in a shared space, there's this subtle support system that helps you move through creative blocks.
In terms of technique, I mostly throw on the wheel and also hand-build. But my favorite process is working with plaster molds for slip casting. I’m fascinated by the history of industrial ceramics and how mold-making speaks to repetition, function, and form. Casting helps me think critically about the relationship between art and mass production, and where my work fits within that dialogue.
Aside from creating I also teach workshops at the studio and sometimes assist other artists with slip casting. It keeps me connected to different approaches and always learning.
Your work is almost entirely centered around tableware. What draws you to these objects?
Yes indeed, ever since university I knew I wanted to focus on functional ceramics. I’ve always been fascinated by the small, intimate moments of daily life, especially those around food. Working in restaurants deepened that. It made me pay attention to how a bowl sits in the hand, or how the curve of a cup shapes the drinking experience.
To me, tableware is about quiet elegance. It should be functional, yes, but also graceful and unobtrusive, never overshadowing what it holds. I try to keep my forms soft and fluid, with a focus on highlighting the rawness of clay. When done well, tableware becomes part of the atmosphere: it holds the meal, the conversation, the moment.
Where do you draw inspiration from when creating a new piece or series? What sparks your process?
A lot of my inspiration comes from tea culture, especially the objects used in tea ceremonies. There's such intentionality in how each vessel is shaped, not just for aesthetics but for how it affects the experience of drinking tea. I’m drawn to that level of thoughtfulness.
I also find inspiration in the act of sharing tea. It slows everything down and makes you notice the way time passes, how a simple gesture can carry a quiet emotion. That’s what I try to bring into my work: the idea that these small, everyday actions can be deeply reflective and meditative.
Speaking of tea - you’ll be hosting a tea ceremony during Basel Art Summer Camp. What does the tea ceremony mean to you, and what can participants expect from the experience?
For me, the tea ceremony is a kind of mental yoga. It’s not just about the tea - it’s about being fully present. The ritual is structured and quiet, which can feel intense at first, but that intensity is what makes it so grounding. You have to be calm, focused, attuned.
I see a strong connection between this mindset and my ceramic practice. When I make a tea cup, I’m thinking about the person who will hold it, the slowness of the pour, the feel of the rim. In the workshop, participants will go through a full tea ceremony and explore how these subtle rituals can connect them with themselves and others. It’s a moment of stillness and reflection, shared with strangers.
What made motivated you to join Basel Art Summer Camp and how did you find out about it?
I first heard about it through the art vending machine project and was immediately intrigued. The idea of creating and sharing in a space that brings together such a diverse group of artists, curators, and thinkers really resonated with me.
I think the conversations are what I’m most excited about. Hearing how other artists think about their work, their challenges, their ways of navigating the world—it’s rare to get that kind of exchange. It’s a chance to step outside my daily rhythms and rethink what I do.
Will you be traveling elsewhere during your time in Europe? What are you most looking forward to?
Yes! I’m especially excited to swim in the Rhine River. I had no idea that was even possible until recently - it sounds magical. I’m also looking forward to visiting galleries during the Art Basel fair. While Taiwan has a vibrant art scene, I've never experienced anything on the scale of Art Basel, so I'm really looking forward to it.
After Basel, I plan to visit Valencia. It’s known for its ceramics history, and I’ve always wanted to explore that part of Spain. Seeing how other cultures engage with clay is always inspiring.
If we were to visit you in Taiwan one day, what should we not miss?
Oh wow, so many things! First stop: the tea shop that invented boba tea - it's a must. Then of course, Taiwan’s night markets. The food culture is vibrant and totally different from Europe. You have to experience it firsthand.
Let me walk you through a perfect day:
Morning: Start with a traditional breakfast: egg pancake and soy milk. Then depending on my mood, I’ll pick a boba tea that matches my energy for the day.
Afternoon: I often stop by Jiu Space, an antique shop where I always find inspiration. Right across the street is Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a creative park where I meet friends for walks, picnics, or to see exhibitions.
Evening: Dinner at Yuhsi Restaurant, my favorite spot in Taipei. After that, we usually head to Revolver Taipei for live music. It’s one of those iconic places where the energy is always good. And finally, we wrap up with a hot bowl of soup from a 24-hour spot across the street.
For those who love the artsy side of life, I’d recommend visiting independent shops like Par Store, Kwon Saem Coffee, Ponding Space, and Magasick. They offer a different window into Taiwan’s creative subculture.
And if you’re into the outdoors, which I have heard the Swiss are - Taiwan’s mountains are truly breathtaking.
Great art spots, added to our visit list! Before we end, what’s something about your practice that you hope people carry with them?
I think I want people to feel that simplicity can hold meaning. That a cup, a bowl, a plate—these everyday objects—can quietly hold space for beauty, ritual, and reflection. We don’t always need grand gestures. Sometimes the smallest vessels carry the most life.
Thank you to Chia Ying Wu for sharing her time, her story, and her thoughtful approach to craft and life. If you’d like to meet her in person and experience her ceramics up close, she’ll be exhibiting her work - and hosting a tea ceremony workshop - at Basel Art Summer Camp this June. RSVP here to be notified:
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