Porcelain, Cobalt Glaze, Wood, Lights

36” x 36” x 16”

2024

Not Too Bad is a collection of four porcelain bowls displayed on a plank from a pallet, supported by two larger bisque porcelain vases. The bowls are illuminated from their foot, revealing a Chinese character carved into the base. This phrase, a compliment of high praise in Chinese culture, translates literally to "not too bad" in English. The juxtaposition of this cultural nuance is reflected in the installation, where the large, unfinished vases contrast with the polished, refined bowls. Inspired by the manufacturing traditions of Jingdezhen, where unfinished pots often serve as stands for finished vessels in warehouses; the installation balances themes of perfection and imperfection, celebrating the tension between refinement and incompletion.

Not Too Bad also explores the complexities of language and translation, particularly how cultural context shapes meaning. In Chinese, the compliment, 真的不错, carries an inherently positive tone, but its English translation can feel dismissive or lukewarm. This linguistic duality becomes a metaphor for the deliberate contrasts in the piece—between the rough, unfinished vases and the meticulous craftsmanship of the bowls. By homing in on these details, the work communicates the subtle, often confusing nature of cultural expressions, especially when interpreted by a non-native speaker.