Collection: Adam Chau - Featured Artist

Adam Chau is an artist in Cold Spring, NY. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, his research blends digital manufacturing with traditional studio techniques. In 2018 he received the NCECA Emerging Artist Award and in 2019 he became a member of the International Academy of Ceramics. Solo exhibitions have included The Clay Studio, Harvard Ceramics, Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, and Northern Clay Center.

Artist Statement

My process of creating ceramics hybridizes digital technology and traditional studio techniques. Coming from an Industrial Design background I have found ways to incorporate the human hand in digital manufacturing methods; my main body of work uses handmade brushes on a CNC machine where I can make efficient yet gestural marks with cobalt.

I produce blue-and-white porcelain objects using cobalt as a pigment, drawing parallels with both historic craft with a loaded history of globalization via the silk road as well as a material that is used in the electronics industry (cobalt is used for lithium-ion batteries). As an Asian American I hope to continue the tradition of blue-and-white, however put a digital spin on such a respected medium. I find it imperative to find innovative ways to create ceramics as to not let the tradition and knowledge die; it is with both understanding of old techniques as well as a willingness to innovate that lets culture thrive.

The content of my work ranges from selfies, mannerisms from the millennial generation to poetic text messages as I believe that a text is a 21st Century love letter. I often use the tile format based on the shape of electronics. I am interested in the smartphone being both a two-dimensional and three-dimensional object at the same time - much like a ceramic tile. I find the scale of a smartphone is intimate and persuasive in drawing an audience in because of familiarity of such a domestic object that can fit in one hand.

Find Adam's Artaxis page: https://artaxis.org/artist/adam-chau/

Find Adam on Instagram: @adamcharleschau

** Adam Chau's Artaxis Shop has ended. You can find more work available for sale by visiting the other Featured Artist collections HERE