Chao Er Dai

1982

Well

POST WINGS

The artwork is shaped from raw coarse clay, with the bird form suggested only by geometric lines and natural textures, as if life were born from the rock layers. The surface bears traces of fire and mineral textures, embodying a naturally inherent beauty. This piece showcases Zhao Erdai’s understanding of the "initial state of life"—where form is undetermined yet presence is alive, returning to the natural philosophy of origins, symbolizing freedom and rebirth, and is one of the important representatives of his three-dimensional artistic realm.

It is worth mentioning that "Bird Stone" is not merely a sculpture; it also serves as a flower vase. Mr. Zhao Erdai closely integrates ceramic art creation with daily life, allowing art to exist not only in viewing but also in use. The mouth of the vessel is subtly hidden within the shape, making flower arranging a medium that extends natural imagery—where flower branches resemble feathers and the space acts like a nest, blending art and life. This simple and unpretentious style embodies his consistent spirit: avoiding flaunting technique or artifice, and instead leaving the most sincere touch and traces of time between material and firing.

From different angles, "Bird Stone" presents multiple faces: it may appear as a crouching bird, or resemble a stationary rock bird, and even at certain perspectives, only an abstract formation of geometric shapes remains. Its form is influenced by Western postmodern art, abstracting and reassembling primitive imagery, merging geometric vocabulary with natural forms, generating a context that hovers between the figurative and the abstract. As the viewer circles around, the shape continually transforms, as if life is flowing in silence—both a bird and a stone; both a vessel and a realm.

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