Jason Shan ’23 is a four-year Senior from Katy, Texas. He is co-head of St. Luke’s Society, co-captain of the Debate Team, DEI Council member, and proctor in Coy. Shan began his ceramics career in his Lower Mid year and joined the Honors Ceramics course as an Upper Mid. Next year, Shan will study Public Policy at Brown University and continue his passion in ceramics as a hobby.
How did you discover your passion for ceramics?
In Prep year, I began my arts career as a music student, but in Lower Mid year I wanted to explore something new after I humorously failed in orchestra.
From the large vases my mom decorated our house with to the traditional Chinese ceramic bowls we inherited from my ancestors, ceramics have always been a part of my life.
In Lower Mid ceramics, I discovered very quickly that, unlike other forms of art, ceramics truly allowed me to express the entirety of my identity. Ceramics became a grounding element in my student experience and something I could rely on to help me relax and to reflect my emotions.
What is your favourite thing about ceramics?
Clay is a medium that is both malleable and brittle, meaning that the process is outside of the artist’s control. I really struggled with this aspect, but I think it made me recognize that it takes a lot of skill and care to make a project come to life.
Also, over the past years, Ms. Owen [instructor in ceramics] and I worked together to create new glazes for the studio.
Each different combination of materials creates a completely different kind of colour, presenting so much room for creativity in this medium of art.
What is a piece you are particularly proud of?
My most memorable piece probably would be a set of six stoneware vases entitled “Marigold” that I created this year.
I was inspired by a Japanese ceramic gallery, Gallery Hokuouki, and also the work of the Italian still-life painter, Georgio Morandi.
While doing this project, I explored the idea of creating individualistic vases that could be exhibited on their own and also as a part of a set.
Each vase was created with different shapes and utilising different techniques. However, I applied a layer of rutile yellow glaze over all of the pieces, allowing the set to work in unison, and also stand out individually.
How have your teachers helped you improve?
Ms. Owen, being the only ceramics teacher in the school, has profoundly impacted my ceramics and overall community experience. Ms. Owen spends a lot of class time helping us with our projects and getting her own hands dirty.
Many students work in the studio on their projects outside of school time, and she never hesitates to give up her personal time for teaching. Ms. Owen’s extensive experience in ceramics has definitely inspired me and helped me to seek a direction in ceramics.
Do you see yourself continuing with ceramics after Hotchkiss?
This year, having the freedom to explore in the Honors Ceramics course, I realised that not only is practising ceramics super rewarding and relaxing for me, it also gave me a new outlet of expression.
This excites and motivates me to continue pursuing ceramics as a hobby in college and throughout my life.
