Pak-hing Kan's Page

Pak-hing Kan began as a painter, established herself as a fabric artist and now a full-time ceramic artist. Her works are the evidence of the past experience and her passion toward clay. Since 1996, she has created close to 200 small ceramic box sculptures. The size is such that it fits into one's palm. Each was individually hand-constructed of white stoneware or porcelain, bisque fire to cone 04. Then she painted them with under-glazes, oxides and glazes, and fired them again to cone 6(2200°F) in an electric kiln. Sometimes she mixed inlay and carving techniques. The box-form sculpture served as a 3-dimenional canvas. She painted on all surfaces, exterior as well as interior. The subject matter she chooses is the celebration of the journey of life and is based on her own imagination. These box-form sculptures are not designed as containers, but as a joy to behold. Her intention is to be playful and for one to experience joy when opening the box. To complete the presentation, Pak-hing designed, hand painted and quilted silk wrapper for each piece.

After September 11, 2001, Pak-hing created a series of boxes sculpted in cave-house form. In these houses, every piece can be taken apart, in a manner of decomposition and re-composition. Pak-hing enjoys very much the versatile character of clay and the challenge of glaze during firing. She feels like alchemy, using the five elements in nature to transform an earthy material into precious objects.

Pak-hing had exhibited in USA as well as in China. Her latest exhibition is at XYZ Gallery in Beijing, Nov.15-Dec.30, 2008. She has collectors through out the world.

Pak-hing had received many awards, including Joan Mitchell Foundation for Painters & Sculptors Grant in 2006 as well as Manhattan Community Arts Fund Grant in 2006 and AT&T Art Achievement Award in 1999.

Pak-hing also earned residency to Fule International Ceramic Art Museum (www.FLICAM.com), Xian, China, in 2007 as well as to Jingdezhen, China in 2008.