Chi is a ceramic artist whose practice is rooted in visual storytelling. With over 30 years in photography, he built a reputation for his sharp eye and quiet elegance behind the lens. Yet migrating to Australia at the age of 40 sparked a new chapter in his creative journey.
The Australian landscape, with its raw beauty and vast solitude, awakened something beyond photography could capture. Among the land’s quiet stories, it was the withered trees that spoke to him the most — forgotten, weathered, yet dignified. Their resilience and silent strength mirrored his own. It was clay, not the camera, that became his new language.
After completing his studies in Visual Arts at The Northern Metropolitan TAFE, Western Australia, Chi began his journey in ceramic art. He sculpted the withered trees, each a tribute to the forgotten and the quietly powerful. His art reflects the temperament of the artist — grounded, modest, yet carrying a silent turbulence within. Behind the rugged exterior lies a rare sensitivity, cultivated through lived experience and a deep respect for the natural world. In clay, he has found not just a medium, but a voice.
Though he still photographs, the camera now serves mainly to document his ceramic work, capturing their texture, shadow and presence.
In addition to pursuing his own ceramic practice as an independent artist, Chi also works in the studio of the renowned Australian ceramic artist Pippin Drysdale, a rare and highly valuable opportunity that has broadened his perspective on ceramics. This role has deepened his understanding of form and surface, adding rigour to his creation without diminishing its originality. It has allowed him to refine his art while staying true to his unique style.
Some of Chi’s ceramic works are now represented by Linton & Kay Galleries in Perth, Western Australia, where they are available for viewing and acquisition. This recognition marks a significant milestone in his practice, affirming the strength and character of his artistic voice.
Biography