Draft:Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih

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  • Comment: Excluding all primary sources, including those directly related to the subject or press releases, the only two secondary sources are source 11 (Taiwan Panorama) and source 17 (Taiwan Today). The Taiwan Panorama source is excellent. It is reliable, independent, and providing significant coverage on the subject. However, the Taiwan Today source only briefly mentions the subject in one paragraph. It would be great if more sources similar to the Taiwan Panorama article are included. Please note that Chinese-language sources are also acceptable on English Wikipedia. You might consider replacing some press releases with Chinese-language sources. —👑PRINCE of EREBOR📜 12:23, 12 August 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: Subject seems notable enough, but still there are several statements that go with no references (see tags), please add them an maybe even expand the draft with info provided from reliable, independent and substantial sources. NeoGaze (talk) 10:21, 5 August 2025 (UTC)
  • Comment: Many of sections like "Awards" and "Auctions" need sources. GoldRomean (talk) 18:09, 16 May 2025 (UTC)


Samuel Hsuan-Yu Shih
施宣宇 九座寮聯合事務所
in his studio in Taipei (2020)
Born1974 (age 50–51)
Taipei, Taiwan
NationalityTaiwanese
Known forCeramic art, sculpture, art director, curator
Websitewww.unit-9.com

Samuel Hsuan-Yu, Shih (施 宣宇, Shih Hsuan-Yu; born 1974)[1][2]is a Taiwanese artist, ceramist, sculptor , and curator.[3][4] He is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics[5] and a National Craftsman certified by the National Taiwan Crafts Research and Development Center.[6] He also serves as the artistic director of UNIT-9 Ceramics & Visual Arts Office.[7]

Biography

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Shih was born in 1974 in Taipei, Taiwan[8][9] . At the age of 14, he began working as an assistant at a pottery studio[10] , and in 1994, held his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Taipei at the age of 20[11].

At 22, he founded his own studio, UNIT-9 Ceramics & Visual Arts Office. In 1998, he worked at the Ceramics Studio at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, California, United States.

In 2009 and 2011, Shih received awards at the Premio Faenza international ceramics biennale in Italy, including the Honour Award of the Presidency of the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Republic and the Emilia-Romagna Legislative Assembly Award.[12][13] In 2010, he was certified as a "Taiwan Craftsman" by the National Taiwan Crafts Research and Development Center.

In 2012, he was commissioned by Twinings to create a commemorative artwork for the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee. The piece was presented at the celebration ceremony by Mr. David Campbell of the British Office in Taiwan.[14][15]

In 2013, Shih was elected a member of the International Academy of Ceramics, an official partner of UNESCO’s cultural sector[16][17]. In 2014, Shih participated in the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) Annual Meeting held in Dublin, Ireland. His work, "Great Ambition"(御風瀚羽－鴻鵠之志), was selected as a Featured Artist and was exhibited at Dublin Castle during the meeting. [18] [19]

In 2016, he became the General Artistic Advisor for the Opera House and Concert Hall of the Straits Culture and Arts Center (SCAC) in Fuzhou, China, a project by PES Architects.[20][21] As part of this project, he designed “China White” ceramic panels—including engraved and mosaic acoustic panels—that were custom-developed with acousticians to fit complex curved surfaces and ensure optimal sound quality.[22]

In 2024, Shih served as the curator of the International Wood-fired Ceramic Art Expo (TRANOVA) at the Miaoli Ceramics Museum in Taiwan. The exhibition, titled *"TRANOVA: Inheritance and Innovation,"* emphasized the transmission of ceramic traditions and their contemporary transformation.[23] [24]

Artistic style

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Shih Hsuan-yu's works are characterized by intricate patterns, refined modeling, and a vibrant use of colors. His art frequently integrates metal and glass elements, with ceramics serving as the central medium.[25]

His early works have been described as focused on observations of contemporary social phenomena, including mechanized perceptions of time, the rise of labeling and barcoding as a social order, consumerist religious fervor, and generational differences in the use of written symbols. These works often combined ready-made objects such as glass tubes, chains, weights, wires, wood, and clocks, with surfaces inscribed with text, numbers, or barcodes.[26]

Later commentators have noted that this strategy created works which simultaneously conveyed declarative meaning while destabilizing habitual interpretations, producing a sense of dissonance and self-reflection in the viewer.[27]

Since 2001, his practice has increasingly drawn on classical references to address contemporary questions, resulting in series such as the *Sitar Series* and the *Wings in the Wind Series*. The *Sitar Series*, inspired by the Indian string instrument traditionally crafted and played uniquely by each musician, has been interpreted as emphasizing individuality and natural vitality beyond rigid conventions. The *Wings in the Wind Series* depicts large wings and expressive eyes, symbolizing freedom from external constraints and the pursuit of expansive vision. [28]

His work has been characterized as a fusion of elemental combinations, simplification, and substitution, with advanced techniques that emphasize sculptural form and conceptual depth. [29]

In *The History of the Development of Modern Ceramics in Taiwan*,his practice is described as "avant-garde" and "culturally critical." The study emphasizes his figurative approach to ceramics, integrating multiple materials and symbolic or architectural vocabularies. His works have been interpreted as engaging in a cross-disciplinary dialogue with postmodern concepts, broadening the expressive possibilities of ceramic art.[30]

Awards

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  • 2011 – Special Honor Award of the Legislative Assembly, the 57th Faenza International Biennale of Ceramic Art, Italy[31]
  • 2009 – Special Honor Award of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, the 56th Faenza International Biennale of Ceramic Art, Italy[32]
  • 2003 – Grand Prize, the 3rd Taipei Ceramics Award, Taiwan[33]
  • 2002 – Grand Prize, the 16th Nanying Award, Taiwan[34]
  • 2000 – Excellence Award, the 14th Nanying Award, Taiwan[35]

Selected collections

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Solo exhibitions

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  • 2013 – Floral Paper Sealed with Jade, Art Taipei / Ever Harvest Art Gallery, Taiwan[43]
  • 2013 – Eternal Poetry, New Taipei City Arts Center, Taiwan[44]
  • 2011 – XI - Xinhai, INCONTRI CON IL CINEMA ASIATICO 12, Museum of Contemporary Art of Rome (MACRO), Italy[45]
  • 2010 – Cheng, Art Taipei / Elsa Gallery, Taiwan[46]
  • 2004 – Shaping the Circle, New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan[47]
  • 1999 – Riding the Wind with Vast Feathers, Dunhuang Art Gallery, Hsinchu, Taiwan[48]
  • 1998 – Celestial Spine, Dunhuang Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan[49]
  • 1994 – Harmonic Wavelength, Dunhuang Art Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan[50]

Further reading

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  • Lin, Chian-Chi (2013). 永恆詩歌 [Taiwan Craftsman: Eternal Poem] (in Chinese). Taipei, Taiwan: New Taipei City Government, Department of Cultural Affairs. ISBN 9789860361810. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
  • Xie, Dong-Shan (2005). 臺灣現代陶藝發展史 [The History of Modern Ceramics Development in Taiwan] (in Chinese). Taipei, Taiwan: Yingge Ceramics Museum. ISBN 9867487702.
  • Lü, Pei-Yi (2004). 制器規圜: 施宣宇作品集 [Form and Circle: Shu Xianyu Works Collection] (in Chinese). Yingge Ceramics Museum. ISBN 9570172800. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.

References

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  1. ^ "Artisans & Craft Makers Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  2. ^ "Artists Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Taiwanese Artist Resource Center. Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. ^ "Public art Potters of the Magic Wand —1804". New Taipei City Art Museum. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  4. ^ "International Wood-fired Ceramics Art Expo to Open on November 16 with the Theme "TRANOVA"". Miaoli County Government. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Samuel Hsuan-Yu Shih". International Academy of Ceramics. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Shih Hsuan-Yu". New Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs (in Chinese). New Taipei City Government. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  7. ^ "UNIT-9 Ceramics & Visual Arts Office". UNIT-9 Ceramics & Visual Arts Office (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Artisans & Craft Makers Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Artists Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Taiwanese Artist Resource Center. Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. ^ "Artisans & Craft Makers Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  11. ^ "Ceramics with a Taiwanese Spirit-Samuel Shih". Taiwan Panorama. Taiwan Panorama Magazine. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Floating Sitar – Premio Faenza". Premio Faenza. Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Chinese Ink Carousel – Premio Faenza". Premio Faenza. Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche in Faenza. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Taiwanese Craftsman Shine at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebration". Ministry of Culture, Republic of China (Taiwan) (in Chinese). Ministry of Culture. 12 October 2011. Archived from the original on 7 May 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  15. ^ "Twinings: Royal Warrant 60th Anniversary". UNIT-9. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Artisans & Craft Makers Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Ministry of Culture, Taiwan. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  17. ^ "Taiwan increases IAC representation". Taiwan Today. Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  18. ^ "台出席聯合國國際陶藝學會年會". Epoch Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  19. ^ "台出席聯合國國際陶藝學會年會". Liberty Times (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 4 December 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Strait Culture and Art Centre". PES-Architects. PES-Architects Ltd. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Fuzhou Strait Culture and Art Centre". PES-Architects China (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 14 January 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  22. ^ "PES-Architects design for the Fuzhou Strait Culture and Art Centre showcases ceramic artistry for acoustic interiors". ArchDaily. 17 October 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  23. ^ 謝, 明俊 (16 November 2024). "2024「苗栗陶藝術節．TRANOVA」 傳承與新變盛大開幕". 中時新聞網 (in Chinese). Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  24. ^ 林彥甫, ed. (2024). 2024苗栗陶藝術節 TRANOVA 傳承・新變 (in Chinese). Miaoli: 苗栗縣政府文化觀光局. ISBN 9786267434604.
  25. ^ Lin, Chian-Chi (2013), Taiwan Craft Home: "Eternal Poem", Taiwan: New Taipei City Government, Department of Cultural Affairs, p. 4, ISBN 9789860361810, archived from the original on 11 April 2025, retrieved 25 April 2025
  26. ^ "施宣宇 Eternal Poem 專題介紹". Artemperor (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  27. ^ "施宣宇 Eternal Poem 專題介紹". Artemperor (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  28. ^ "施宣宇 Eternal Poem 專題介紹". Artemperor (in Chinese). Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  29. ^ Tseng, Yao-sheng (2010), Taiwanese Creative Figures Vol. 5: Ceramic Artists, Taiwan: Ta-Kuan Visual Consultants Co., Ltd., p. 79
  30. ^ Xie, Dong-Shan (2005), The History of Modern Ceramics Development in Taiwan, Taiwan: Yingge Ceramics Museum, ISBN 9867487702
  31. ^ "Chinese Ink Carousel". Premio Faenza. International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  32. ^ "Floating Sitar". Premio Faenza. International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  33. ^ "Innovation Award – First Prize: Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Taiwan Ceramic Digital Archives (in Chinese (Taiwan)). New Taipei City Yingge Ceramics Museum. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  34. ^ "Nanying Award – Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Nanying Award (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Tainan City Government. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  35. ^ "Merit Award – Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Nanying Award (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Tainan City Government. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  36. ^ "A Set of Tea Utensils". Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  37. ^ "Heaven and Earth Harmony Twin Cities / Lotus Brahma Axis by Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". National Museum of History (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  38. ^ "The Axis of the Metagalaxy /Sitar 2003". National Repository of Cultural Heritage (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  39. ^ "The Celestial Expansion Method of the Law of Shuttle Transmission through the Dome". Tainan Cultural Resources GIS (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Tainan City Government. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  40. ^ "Consensus Delusion Aerial Scroll – Shih Hsuan-yu". Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  41. ^ "Celestial Shuttle Orbit – Shih Hsuan-yu". Taiwan Cultural Memory Bank (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  42. ^ "List of Winners of the 22nd Golden Ceramic Awards". HCG Corporation (in Chinese (Taiwan)). pp. 39–40. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  43. ^ "Art Taipei Ever Harvest Art Gallery". Ever Harvest Art Gallery (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  44. ^ "Taiwan Craftsman, New Taipei City – Eternal Poem: Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Chung Hua Daily (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  45. ^ "Catalogo 10102011" (PDF). INCONTRI CON IL CINEMA ASIATICO 12 (in Italian). pp. 68–69. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  46. ^ "Works by Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Taiwan Gallery Industry Archive (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  47. ^ "The Axis of the Metagalaxy". Yingge Ceramics Museum (in Chinese (Taiwan)). New Taipei City Government. Archived from the original on 11 April 2025. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  48. ^ "Samuel Hsuan-yu Shih". Dunhuang Art Center (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  49. ^ "Solo Exhibition of Hsuan-Yu Shih". Taiwan Gallery Industry Archive (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  50. ^ "Harmonic Wavelength-Solo Exhibition of Hsuan-Yu Shih". Taiwan Gallery Industry Archive (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 20 April 2025.
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