Introduction of Chen, Tso-Tao

           (Over forty years of experience in ceramics with dozens of technical breakthroughs, his unique new furnace mutation glaze is simply remarkable)

           Chan Tso-Tao, born in Jiangsu in1925, a legendary ceramist known to all in Taiwan, whom friends like to call, "Master of Furnace Mutation" and" Ceramic God". He used to be a general of the air force, who flew for thirty years, and retired in 1978, when he focused on studying the various furnace mutation glazes, turning the widely known impossible to possible, working a miracle that shocked the entire ceramic art sphere. In the first twenty years, he already successfully re-invented the various famous glazes from the ancient periods of the Chinese history, including the yet uncontrollable" intoxicated beauty"(aka peach bloom); In the later twenty years, he continued to publish world-class technical breakthroughs in various new furnace mutation glazes, which are both aspired by all in the ceramic art sphere, but also commonly recognized as uncontrollable. This has made him the one-and only brilliant wonder of the ceramic art sphere, winning endless positive reviews and recognitions from experts and scholars home and abroad ( For details, please refer to P.14-16 of the experts and scholars reviews collection), all thinking that his works are unprecedented and will no doubt become priceless national treasures which are impossible for replication. His works were awarded" Ceramic Art Contribution Award", and were on loan many times to National Palace Museum for exhibitions on the Modern hall, National history Museum, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and fine Arts Museums in different cities; they are also archived by Cultural centers in various places at high prices, collected by sovereignties of many countries, and even made broke the highest transaction record for modern ceramics auction by Heritage Arts company.

           It is acknowledged by all in the ceramic art sphere that to burn special and spectacular furnace mutation glaze is definitely not easy, and even though technology gas improved, it would still be very difficult to make major breakthroughs even if you dedicate your life the studying the art of glaze, therefore, it has become a trend in the ceramic art sphere to focus on design variations. But as we all know, design are limited, so, you can only do so much as venturing inside the limited scope of human thoughts. If you take a trip around the world, you will find many designs that are similar, therefore, only a new glaze with special effects is the one-and only new ceramic art, especially a well-loved furnace mutation glaze work that cannot be limited is truly eternal, even priceless and thee hard evidence of the history of ceramic art. Hence, Chen's various technical breakthroughs led to new glazes, along with modern designs and decades of skills and artistic effort, one glaze will derive into many in the kiln, the different designs and glazes seem as if they are naturally made and unable to pass up on, making such work truly precious. His relentless research efforts and stamina not only make him the new role model of the ceramic art sphere, but also the representative of this era.

             Immigrated in 1997, he is a patriotic overseas Chinese. Despite being in his eighties, he still contributes ceramic art in the Chinese Culture. While in Taiwan, he has held positions including chief committee member of the Taiwanese Ceramic Society, teaching ceramic art, vice-president of the Taiwanese Ceramics Association, and sat on panels for multiple organizations. He has also published numerous original articles, constantly working to share with the younger generation; therefore, he is currently working on his own work, hoping to pass down the forty pears of valuable experiences and secrets. As the saying goes, a man at seventy is a rare treasure, and he is still studying more in- depth, working to make more beautiful treasures to pass down; he focuses to pass down; he focuses more on research, so there is not many works; few is rare and every piece is one if kind, all greatly treasured; unless it is a special art organization, he does not part easily. He wants to preserve future national treasures for its country, and so far has kept around two or three hundred pieces. for more detailed information, please refer to the following pages, or his ceramics album or collections.

President of Jingdezhen Ceramic institute, professor Tai Xilin, September 3,2004

(Famous Chinese ceramic Crafts and Artisan Master, Chinese Craft and Artisan Maters selection committee member)