Meet the Artist: Chen Shuai

Ceramic Artist | Jingdezhen, China

Born and raised in the coastal city of Dalian, China, Chen Shuai is a ceramic artist whose practice blends precise craftsmanship with the beauty of imperfection. The rhythm of the sea, the salt in the air, and the shifting light over the water shaped his early sensitivity to texture, colour, and form — influences that remain central to his work today.

Trained in studio pottery and glaze-making, Chen has also worked in Jingdezhen, China’s historic porcelain capital. Immersed in a city where centuries-old ceramic traditions still shape contemporary craftsmanship, he deepened his appreciation for fine clay bodies, nuanced glazing, and the patience of small-batch firing. This experience reinforced his belief that true artistry lies in the balance between control and letting the material speak.

For Garden of Senses, Chen collaborated with HereThe to create a series of handmade incense holders inspired by pollen and seasonal allergies — a poetic metaphor for the subtle, shifting relationship between body and environment. Together, we explored variations in scale, silhouette, and glaze tone, going through multiple prototypes to find a form that felt organic yet intentional.

The final design rests lightly in the hand, its soft curves and muted glaze echoing the fleeting beauty of something just beginning to bloom. Each holder is unique, shaped by the kiln’s quiet unpredictability and Chen’s steady, deliberate touch.

Looking ahead, Chen plans to expand this design concept into a jewellery collection, bringing the same organic lines and soft-glaze tones to wearable pieces. Just like his incense holders, these jewellery works will carry the same balance of delicacy, tactility, and quiet presence — a way to keep the spirit of Garden of Senses close to the body.