On 12th June 2024, BLIA North Island Sub Chapter 2 President Susan PANG along with eight committee members, visited the studio of ceramic artist Richard Monk. They participated in a hands-on pottery-making session, enriching their appreciation of life aesthetics.
Artist Richard Monk first connected with the Temple in the 2022 Art Salon at the Fo Guang Yuan Art Gallery. He deeply appreciates the support provided by the Temple to artists and has participated in numerous activities organised by the Temple. His creative philosophy aligns well with the Temple’s rich cultural and artistic atmosphere, and he warmly welcomed the visit from BLIA members, seeing it as an opportunity to foster friendships through art and provide aesthetic exchanges for the community.
Richard Monk began by explaining the concepts of ceramic making and decorative techniques. The participants then focused on kneading, cutting and designing shapes with clay, which they then poured into ceramic moulds. After two hours of hand-shaping and refining the pieces, they were left to dry and undergo high-temperature firing. The final step, glazing by the artist, will take place three weeks later, resulting in vibrant ceramic artworks. Everyone joyfully anticipates the outcome of their creations.
Committee member YingPing shared that while refining the pieces, they had to carefully control the foot pedal pressure. Initially, she thought that merely a light touch would change the shape of the clay, but it turned out to be quite challenging. The seemingly simple pottery-making process required a calm and focused mind to communicate with the clay, testing one’s patience and attention to detail at every step.