Sue Chiu 黃雪香

Being always enjoying various forms of artistic expression, I took my first ceramic course at Mercer County Community College almost 30 years ago. I loved working with clay so much and decided I would pursue pottery making as my retirement hobby. Since my retirement in 1998 I have been wholeheartedly enjoying my pottery making. Now this hobby has become my passion. There seems to have this inner drive which constantly inspires me to fulfill my creation.

My culture and educational background—Japanese, Taiwanese, and American, provide me with wider vision and richer artistic expression. My goal is to make objects, functional or non-functional, traditional or modern, turning out to be a beautiful piece of art.

Stephen Covey’s principle –“ beginning with the end in mind” – could apply to my working philosophy. For all of my work, it could be wheel-thrown, altered, or hand-construction of slab or coil, I begin by visualizing what the finished object will look like, including its size, shape, texture/surface decoration, and color. I then work toward this vision to achieve the preconceived end product. Applying this discipline to my artistry not only provides me with challenge but also produces good results. I emphasize harmony among these elements as well. My success comes when all of them enhance each other to bring out the beauty of the object.

My works have been selected in various juried exhibitions such as: In New Jersey Art Annual 4 times; in Mercer County Artist’s Show every year since 2002 and received “Purchase Award” from Mercer County Culture and Heritage Commission in 2004; in Mercer County Senior Art Show 5 times, and awarded First Place and Honorable Mention 2 times each in craft category and in 2013 the work received the Best of the show in County show and First Place in the State Show; in South Brunswick Art Commission show 6 times; in Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion 4 times and received “Purchase Award” from the Trenton City Museum Society in 2015.