Ray Tse’s ceramics tell of the woes of the world.

Ray Tse wouldn’t call his work pottery, but prefers the term ceramics.

“The word `pottery’ seems like it only covers the functional side of this art form. ‘Ceramics’ is a more general term as it includes both the functional and sculptural side,” explains Tse.

The Hong Kong-born artist will be exhibiting his work June 9 to July 7 at The Art Centre in Port Moody, where he is ceramic artist-in-residence for 2015–2016.

Incorporating wood and ceramics

Neither ceramics nor wood were Tse’s first choice of medium while he was enrolled at the Emily Carr University of Art and Design in Vancouver. At first, he majored in painting. Halfway through his second year, he wanted to try something more three-dimensional. That led him to take courses on ceramics and wood sculpture.

“Once I started, I was addicted. I stayed at the studio pretty much the whole day everyday and did all kinds of experiments. I feel like there is always something new to learn,” he says.

He incorporates wood into his ceramics sculptures.

“I think both ceramics and wood are very interesting materials and they harmonize well together,” Tse says.

He creates both functional and sculptural works in his art.

“I am challenged by aesthetic and ergonomic considerations. I believe art should be part of everyone’s life. Therefore, making functional pots is the most direct way to let art appear in our lives. However, sculpture can also introduce art to other people’s lives,” writes Tse on his website.

Influences

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was a big influence on Tse’s work. The Chinese artist and activist uses his art to express his world view and specifically injustices happening worldwide, says Tse. Weiwei is known to be openly critical of the Chinese government’s position on democracy and human rights.

“I hope my art can do the same thing and impact the viewers,” says Tse.

When Tse began making his ceramic Chinese political motif art, he noticed not everyone could relate to it because he was located in Canada. So from that point on, he moved on to making art about environmental issues and more general world issues like freedom of speech.

He observed that Hong Kong and China’s cultures were quite different. After he moved to Canada, he realized that Hong Kong had more western influences. Tse also noted that first world countries had their own set of problems. With modernization and quality of life improvement, humans often sacrifice the environment, animals or even third world countries. Noticing this, Tse started making art about global issues.

The political atmosphere in Hong Kong, says Tse, changed drastically after the “Umbrella Revolution” in 2014. That revolution encouraged more people to talk about political issues and helped them become bolder in pointing out the differences between Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Much of his work is about these issues.

He says some people describe his work as dark, but he points out it is a reflection of reality.

“I am just showing what is actually happening around the world, but my work is not all about the bad side of the world. I want to point out the issues and let people know there is still hope if everyone tries their best to make a difference. One day, I hope to run out of world issues or problems to talk about,” he says.

Tse wants people who look at his art to become aware of world issues and problems so that they can make changes in their lifestyles. That’s what his solo show entitled 7.4 Billion Little Steps is all about.

“There are about 7.4 billion people on earth. If everyone makes small changes the world will become better,” says Tse.

For more information, visit www.pomoarts.ca.