2025 波羅的海.拉脫維亞藝術家駐村
2025 Interdisciplinary artist residency. Serde. Aizpute. Lativa
Artist Residency – Serde, Aizpute, Latvia
16th–29th June 2025
Atmodas iela 9, Aizpute, Aizputes pilsēta, Dienvidkurzemes novads, LV-3456拉脫維亞
www.serde.lv/?q=node/18
During my artist residency at Serde in Aizpute, Latvia, I created seven Talking Bears inspired by the theme of the summer solstice. Two of the bears are holding fans—I imagined the weather during the solstice would be hot, like in my homeland, Taiwan, where temperatures can reach around 36°C. However, it turned out to be quite cold in Aizpute, and I still needed to wear a winter coat!
The Talking Bears are based on the Taiwanese black bear, a native species recognizable by the V-shaped white marking on its chest. The Taiwanese black bear is one of Taiwan’s endangered animals. Through this work, I wanted to introduce this animal to the Latvian audience and share a part of my cultural heritage.
In Taiwan, we traditionally follow the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, part of the traditional Chinese calendar. This system divides the year into 24 segments to guide agricultural activities based on seasonal and climatic changes. These include: Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, Beginning of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat, Beginning of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost’s Descent, Beginning of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold, and Major Cold.
In 2016, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. I also carved traditional Chinese characters--Summer Solstice and Summer—on the backs of the bears.
Originally, I wanted to create 24 bears to represent each segment, but I ran out of time during this short 14-day residency from June 16th to 29th.The schedule was very intense. In the beginning, I didn’t have time to talk to anyone because making ceramics takes time—the pieces need to dry thoroughly before being fired. I sketched some ideas in watercolour, imagining bears with pig noses, small eyes, and fans. I also referenced a celadon lamp with a bear-shaped stand from the Western Jin dynasty (220–316 C.E.), part of the National Palace Museum collection in Taipei, Taiwan.
Eventually, I decided to create sculptural, non-functional bear works. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms serve a practical purpose for farmers, but as an artist, I’m often questioned about the value or function of my work. During the residency, other participants also asked why I was “just” an artist—why not do something else? I was surprised. Why can’t being an artist be a valid profession?
These questions led me to reflect on the value of function. Sculpture may have no functional purpose, but that doesn’t mean it lacks meaning. I combined Royale porcelain and stoneware to create the bears’ heads and small necks, using my fingerprints to shape the V-shaped chest markings in white porcelain. I glazed the pieces with transparent and white glazes, along with some colour stains.
Special thanks to Ugis, who helped dry my work using heat and air equipment to speed up the process. We fired the pieces at 1000°C for the bisque firing, then at 1250°C with a 30-minute soak. Some of the glaze colours changed during firing—especially the orange, which turned yellow. That’s okay with me; it’s all part of the ceramic process.
At the end of the residency, I donated two pieces to Serde as a gesture of thanks for this wonderful opportunity. I named the work Talking Bear. It’s not functional—it’s just “talking,” perhaps not usefully, but still meaningfully.
I appreciate how Latvian people still preserve certain traditions to celebrate the summer solstice. Some of these ceremonies may not have a functional purpose, but that is their beauty. Sometimes, “not functional” is a powerful function in itself—a philosophy of life.I saw many smiling faces during the solstice activities. People seemed more laid-back than usual. That experience will stay with me. Thank you for providing me this great opportunity, Ugis, Signe and Ance.
For the workshop
Creative Calligraphy workshop at SERDE in Aizpute, Latvia
Date: 26th of June 2025
TIme:afternoon from 2:00–4:00 PM.
We’re so happy to hear that participants enjoyed practicing the "forever ," and then gradually learning to write traditional Chinese characters such as “Happy Summer Solstice,” “Happy New Year,” “Health,” and more. It was also wonderful to see everyone using traditional ink to write and draw.
Martin and I enjoyed sharing our passion for Taiwanese culture and the beauty of traditional Chinese calligraphy.
Thank you for inviting us to hold this workshop as part of our artist residency in Latvia.
https://www.wenhsichenceramics.com/2025-creative-calligraphy-lativa.html
Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJDXZzZTaJE
SERDE: Saulgriežu rezidentu video atskats 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLRSdtJiR9c
16th–29th June 2025
Atmodas iela 9, Aizpute, Aizputes pilsēta, Dienvidkurzemes novads, LV-3456拉脫維亞
www.serde.lv/?q=node/18
During my artist residency at Serde in Aizpute, Latvia, I created seven Talking Bears inspired by the theme of the summer solstice. Two of the bears are holding fans—I imagined the weather during the solstice would be hot, like in my homeland, Taiwan, where temperatures can reach around 36°C. However, it turned out to be quite cold in Aizpute, and I still needed to wear a winter coat!
The Talking Bears are based on the Taiwanese black bear, a native species recognizable by the V-shaped white marking on its chest. The Taiwanese black bear is one of Taiwan’s endangered animals. Through this work, I wanted to introduce this animal to the Latvian audience and share a part of my cultural heritage.
In Taiwan, we traditionally follow the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, part of the traditional Chinese calendar. This system divides the year into 24 segments to guide agricultural activities based on seasonal and climatic changes. These include: Beginning of Spring, Rain Water, Awakening of Insects, Spring Equinox, Pure Brightness, Grain Rain, Beginning of Summer, Grain Buds, Grain in Ear, Summer Solstice, Minor Heat, Major Heat, Beginning of Autumn, End of Heat, White Dew, Autumn Equinox, Cold Dew, Frost’s Descent, Beginning of Winter, Minor Snow, Major Snow, Winter Solstice, Minor Cold, and Major Cold.
In 2016, the Twenty-Four Solar Terms was officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. I also carved traditional Chinese characters--Summer Solstice and Summer—on the backs of the bears.
Originally, I wanted to create 24 bears to represent each segment, but I ran out of time during this short 14-day residency from June 16th to 29th.The schedule was very intense. In the beginning, I didn’t have time to talk to anyone because making ceramics takes time—the pieces need to dry thoroughly before being fired. I sketched some ideas in watercolour, imagining bears with pig noses, small eyes, and fans. I also referenced a celadon lamp with a bear-shaped stand from the Western Jin dynasty (220–316 C.E.), part of the National Palace Museum collection in Taipei, Taiwan.
Eventually, I decided to create sculptural, non-functional bear works. The Twenty-Four Solar Terms serve a practical purpose for farmers, but as an artist, I’m often questioned about the value or function of my work. During the residency, other participants also asked why I was “just” an artist—why not do something else? I was surprised. Why can’t being an artist be a valid profession?
These questions led me to reflect on the value of function. Sculpture may have no functional purpose, but that doesn’t mean it lacks meaning. I combined Royale porcelain and stoneware to create the bears’ heads and small necks, using my fingerprints to shape the V-shaped chest markings in white porcelain. I glazed the pieces with transparent and white glazes, along with some colour stains.
Special thanks to Ugis, who helped dry my work using heat and air equipment to speed up the process. We fired the pieces at 1000°C for the bisque firing, then at 1250°C with a 30-minute soak. Some of the glaze colours changed during firing—especially the orange, which turned yellow. That’s okay with me; it’s all part of the ceramic process.
At the end of the residency, I donated two pieces to Serde as a gesture of thanks for this wonderful opportunity. I named the work Talking Bear. It’s not functional—it’s just “talking,” perhaps not usefully, but still meaningfully.
I appreciate how Latvian people still preserve certain traditions to celebrate the summer solstice. Some of these ceremonies may not have a functional purpose, but that is their beauty. Sometimes, “not functional” is a powerful function in itself—a philosophy of life.I saw many smiling faces during the solstice activities. People seemed more laid-back than usual. That experience will stay with me. Thank you for providing me this great opportunity, Ugis, Signe and Ance.
For the workshop
Creative Calligraphy workshop at SERDE in Aizpute, Latvia
Date: 26th of June 2025
TIme:afternoon from 2:00–4:00 PM.
We’re so happy to hear that participants enjoyed practicing the "forever ," and then gradually learning to write traditional Chinese characters such as “Happy Summer Solstice,” “Happy New Year,” “Health,” and more. It was also wonderful to see everyone using traditional ink to write and draw.
Martin and I enjoyed sharing our passion for Taiwanese culture and the beauty of traditional Chinese calligraphy.
Thank you for inviting us to hold this workshop as part of our artist residency in Latvia.
https://www.wenhsichenceramics.com/2025-creative-calligraphy-lativa.html
Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJDXZzZTaJE
SERDE: Saulgriežu rezidentu video atskats 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLRSdtJiR9c
