Kuang-Ching Lin, who founded the Taiwanese ceramics label, Cilin, has been devoted to the ceramics for almost half a century since he was 15, when he took up an apprenticeship at a Yingge ceramics factory. He went on to work hard on developing high-temperature underglaze painting and glaze carving techniques. In 2013, he established the label, Cilin, which develops more than 800 new product items every year. He has seen changes of times and trends, and he has mastered techniques that enable him to develop different and unique styles of tableware. Cilin has won international recognition.

Cilin offers many ceramic products with Taiwanese motifs. Their artistic profoundness offers a fresh interpretation of the local culture, and a trajectory of a rich culture – a testament to the achievements of a ceramist.

Lin believes that in order to be the best, one must have an undying passion for what one is passionate about, and that honesty and quality are important. Cilin designs products from a cultural-creative perspective, emphasizing the need for aesthetic quality to enhance the industry. Cilin hopes the international community can see Taiwan’s outstanding achievements in the field of ceramic craftsmanship. His unique artistic characteristics can be seen in his diverse and exquisite works.

His first encounter with TNUA came in 1991 when he saw a TNUA parade marching down the streets to mark the school’s relocation to its present campus in Kuandu. He was deeply impressed by the parade. Since 2018, as an organizer of an art festival in Miaoli, he has been working with the TNUA School of Culture Resources, which has helped with the festival’s planning and organizing of participating artists and performers. The annual event has become not only a major venue where students can implement what they have learned, but also an important part of the local activities marking Lantern Festival.

Lin is not only an entrepreneur, but also a philanthropist and educator. Over the years, he has devoted himself to fulfilling his social responsibility and his commitment to art education. He has invested multiple resources into running charities, funding elementary schools, sponsoring artistic and environmental work, supporting medical and minority groups. Having earned an honorary doctorate from TNUA, Lin expects to devote more to art education.

Photo credit: Shih-pang Wang