Ceramic Brothers’ Growth

Ceramic Brothers’ Growth

Chao Ziyi and Chao Ziwei are brothers from Henan province. More than 20 years ago, making large bowls was their job. If someone told them they would one day become artists, they would just laugh at it as a joke. But you can never predict what life will bring you next. Today, they both teach at a university, and their works are shown at home and abroad.

They learned every step of making ceramics (陶瓷) on their own from a young age, and this gave them something even more valuable — a deep love for their material. Artists and teachers later led them into the world of ceramic art. Although receiving no professional art training, the brothers gradually developed a style — using ceramics, an old Chinese material, to express modern ideas and personal memories.

Their most fascinating artwork is a huge ceramic tractor (拖拉机) called Dongfanghong. It is over two meters long and weighs two tons, with no support inside. Different thicknesses and thin parts let the clay break easily. They worked day and night, trying special materials and changing the heat levels again and again. The artwork finally looked like real metal through their years of efforts.

Thanks to their efforts and new ideas, the brothers have won many prizes, and their artworks are kept in famous museums. Their story shows us that with patience and strong mind, even the most common journey can lead to something amazing.