Dayun

Shortly before finishing her medical degree in 2017, she discovered ceramics and fell in love with the craft. She founded “Zhi Zai” Studio, dedicating herself fully to ceramic art. Her work is inspired by nature, especially plants she encountered growing up on an island. The gentle, flowing lines of plants reflect the freedom she seeks in her work.

Despite the challenges of choosing ceramics over a medical career, she embraced the journey. Her unique style often transforms familiar plants into imaginative creations, as her lack of formal art training gives rise to one-of-a-kind patterns. She primarily uses throwing, slab building, and hand-pinching techniques, with careful attention to detail in carving and painting.

This year, I had the pleasure of visiting Dayun’s studio in Jingdezhen. The space is a semi-open area with high ceilings and windows, enclosed by brick walls and backed by a massive rock at the base of the mountain. Dayun shares this studio with her husband, a connection made through their shared passion for ceramics. The studio has a large, custom-built kiln, thanks to the convenience of living in Jingdezhen, where many in the ceramics industry reside.

With each brushstroke, Dayun brings delicate birds and vibrant flowers to life, painting them with a soft, watercolor-like grace that seems to hover on the surface of her ceramics. Her work blends tradition with imagination, where the rich legacy of Jingdezhen meets the quiet whispers of the natural world.