Artist Statement

Chai's ceramic art interacts with their surroundings and audience. Moving Mountains is a modular salt-andpepper set that takes the form of a re-arrangeable landscape, inspired by classic Chinese paintings. Two mountains, their contours highlighted by celadon glazes and copper oxide sit on a glistening, pristine lake while a fiery sun peeks through. In these times when we tend to scarf down food while mindlessly scrolling on our phones, this salt and pepper shaker set invites diners to pause and take in the view. It reminds them that, much like a sunrise or sunset, the present is fleeting and never takes place twice. In using the shakers, diners in effect "move mountains". "Yu Gong Yi Shan" ( ) is one of many Chinese proverbs that teach the lesson that with perseverance, anything is possible. I imagine this salt-and-pepper shaker set quietly encouraging diners with this message, at their first meal and their last of each day - to keeping going, because the sun will rise again.