Yu LU

Yu LU (formerly known as Yenyu Lu)

The upcoming exhibition focuses on animal sculptures, with plans to display 14 three-dimensional ceramic works. The exhibition is titled “Wild Musings,” featuring various partial transformations based on animal forms. Through the depiction of distorted biological shapes, I aim to convey the unique beauty of their free and uninhibited growth.

When conceptualizing the pieces, I was inspired by the term “wild growth,” which led me to explore a wider variety of animal subjects. In the past, I typically drew inspiration from animals in my immediate surroundings and living environment. However, over time, the ideas I gathered from photos, videos, and even written descriptions began to take shape, encouraging me to sculpt these creatures. In my creations, I enjoy extending and transforming animal forms, often mixing in human characteristics. While the work outwardly depicts the appearance of animals, it is, in fact, a form of projection—an internal emotional record or self-reflection drawn from observations and associations with the natural world. Since these pieces are essentially vessels for projection and imagination, becoming overly fixated on filtering the sources of inspiration feels like falling into a self-imposed limitation.

I aspire to create hybrid creatures that grow independently according to their own internal logic. As they adapt and survive, they strive to develop while cautiously maintaining balance. They might grow into strange and unusual forms, but that’s perfectly fine. In fact, it is this freedom that allows them to evolve into their own unique shapes.

When working with clay, I often start by pressing the material into thin slabs and then, much like pattern-making in fashion, roll these flat pieces into basic shapes. From there, I use my hands or tools to push outward from within, creating the textures and movement I envision. This method doesn’t result in dramatic surface textures, giving the work a smooth, membrane-like appearance. While shaping, I imagine the creatures’ subtle movements and flow. Additionally, I like to incorporate contrasting textures in the same piece, such as the juxtaposition of simple, block-like forms with intricate details, or the use of soft, muted tones against bright, vivid colors, as well as the contrast between glossy glazes and unglazed matte surfaces. These contrasts add layers of information to the work and help emphasize the focal points of the viewing experience.

When brainstorming ideas, I often begin with quick pencil sketches, outlining rough shapes and dynamic poses. These unfinished sketches often possess a unique charm compared to the completed pieces, and revisiting them after some time can spark new ideas for future creations. Recently, I’ve started experimenting with more elements like thin clay pieces, fragments, and lines, incorporating them into the sculptures. This introduces softer, less defined lines into what were once clearly outlined forms, which I believe helps me create a more dynamic, inclusive, and ever-evolving image of life.

2007 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, National Taiwan University of Arts, New Taipei City, Taiwan
2011 Master of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Graduate Institute of Applied Arts, Tainan National University of the Arts, Tainan, Taiwan

2021

“Habitat of Dreams—Liu Yunyi × Lu Yanyu Joint Exhibition,” Caini Art, Taipei, Taiwan

2020

“Imago Specimens—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Fuguishanyi, Miaoli, Taiwan
“Twins—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Soka Art, Tainan, Taiwan

2019

“Imago Specimens—Emerging Ceramic Artists Double Exhibition,” Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan
“Lou Mud,” Taohuazhuo Art Gallery, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2018

“Whispers in the Shell,” Little Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2017

“Symbiosis of Objects,” Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan
“Habitat,” Yuxiu Art Museum, Nantou, Taiwan

2016

“Floating Between Real and Unreal—Lu Yanyu & Xu Zhiqi Double Exhibition,” Elite Art Center, Taichung, Taiwan

2015

“World × Retrospective—Lu Yanyu & Li Sihua Double Exhibition,” Fuguishanyi, Miaoli, Taiwan

2014

“Transformation/Stranger Form—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Little Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2013

“Moving Landscapes—Lu Yanyu Ceramics Solo Exhibition,” King Car Art Space, Taipei, Taiwan

2012

“Alien Dustscapes—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Dehong Gallery, Tainan, Taiwan

2011

“At the Edge of Gravity—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga, Japan
“Pseudo Planet—Lu Yanyu Solo Exhibition,” Tainan 76 Art Space, Tainan, Taiwan

2022

“Winter Rain, Distant Mountains, Near Sea,” Yilan Art Museum, Yilan, Taiwan
“Art Taipei 2022,” Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan
“Diary Exchange—Artists’ Group Exhibition,” Soka Art, Taipei, Taiwan

2021

“Tainan Art Fair,” Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan, Taiwan

2020

“Yimei Collection at Yilan Art Museum,” Yilan, Taiwan
“Concentration—Ceramics Group Exhibition,” Yingge Fuguishan Pavilion, Taipei, Taiwan
“One Art Taipei 2020,” The Sherwood Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan (Fair)

2019

“3rd Summer Exhibition at POSIO, ALVARI Gallery,” Posio, Finland
“Taichung Art Fair—NTUA Sculpture 50th Anniversary,” Millennium Hotel Taichung, Taichung, Taiwan
“One Art Taipei 2019,” The Sherwood Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan (Fair)

2018

“Poetic Gaze—Yilan Art Museum/Collection Special Exhibition,” Yilan Art Museum, Yilan, Taiwan
“Flaming Hot—20th Anniversary Exhibition of TNNUA Ceramics,” Kuo Musen Cultural Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan
“Formosa Art Fair,” eslite Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
“Kaohsiung Art Fair,” Pier-2 Art Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

2017

“Art for Animal Welfare Charity Exhibition,” Bellavita, Taipei, Taiwan
“Formosa Art Fair,” eslite Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan
“Daily Life/Dreams—Sculpture Group Exhibition,” Luodong Cultural Working House, Yilan, Taiwan
“9th Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale,” Yeoju World Ceramic Livingware Gallery, Yeoju, Korea
“Asia Contemporary Art Show 2017,” Conrad Hong Kong, Hong Kong (Fair)

2016

“Formosa Art Fair,” Humble House Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
“Singapore Art Fair 2016,” Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
“This City, That Story—5th North Taiwan Artists’ Joint Exhibition,” New Taipei City Art Center, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2015

“Tales of Ceramics—Three-person Ceramics Exhibition,” Yun Ching Art Center, Taipei, Taiwan
“Continuance—Yilan Youth Art Joint Exhibition,” Yilan County Government Cultural Affairs Bureau, Yilan, Taiwan

2014

“Exploring Art—Ceramics Group Exhibition,” Elite Art Center, Taichung, Taiwan
“Scoop it—A Ladle of Life’s Landscapes,” MANO Contemporary Jewelry & Objects Gallery, Taipei, Taiwan
“Young Art Taipei Art Fair,” The Regent Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
“Boundaries and Diffusion—NTUA Sculpture New Generation Alumni Exhibition,” Youchang Museum, National Taiwan University of Arts, New Taipei City, Taiwan
“Selective Extraction—Ceramics Group Exhibition,” Fuguishan Pavilion, Miaoli, Taiwan
“Poetic Space—Ceramics Group Exhibition,” Fuguishan Pavilion, Miaoli, Taiwan

2013

“Art Taipei,” Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan
“1st Taiwan Young Ceramics Biennale,” Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei, Taiwan
“Asian Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition,” 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art Kanazawa, and Aichi Prefecture Ceramic Museum, Japan
“Connexon—Brooches Group Exhibition,” Baozha Mao Tou & You Zha Juli, Taipei, Taiwan

2012

“Back Yart—Warehouse Art Fair,” Warehouse 20, Taichung, Taiwan
“Art Taipei 2012,” Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel, Taipei, Taiwan

2011

“Seems to Be—Six-person Ceramics Group Exhibition,” Little Gallery, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
“Inside Out—7th Kapfenberg Ceramics Biennale,” Cultural Center of Kapfenberg, Austria
“Art Taipei 2011,” Taipei World Trade Center, Taipei, Taiwan
“2011 Fun Town—Taipei East Contemporary Art Exhibition,” Taipei, Taiwan
“Art Taipei 2011,” The Westin Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan
“7th Taipei Ceramics Awards,” Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2016 Artist-in-residence at Arctic Ceramic Center, Posio, Finland
2013 Artist-in-residence at European Ceramic Work Centre, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
2011 Artist-in-residence at Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Artist-in-residence at Shiga Prefectural Ceramic Cultural Park, Shiga, Japan

2011

“Human Assemblage,” National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, Taiwan
“At the Edge of Time and Space,” Miaoli County Government International Cultural and Tourism Bureau, Miaoli, Taiwan
“Dissociative Experience,” Yingge Ceramics Museum, New Taipei City, Taiwan

2017 Taiwan Ceramics Award—Emerging Artist Award, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan
2014 “Hidden Monsters,” 10th Mino International Ceramics Competition—Ceramics Division Finalist, Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, Japan
2013 “Moving Landscapes,” 1st Taiwan Young Ceramics Biennale—Young Ceramic Artist Award, Taipei, Taiwan
2012 “Flying Components,” Taiwan Crafts Competition—Honorable Mention in Innovation Design, Taipei, Taiwan
2011
- “At the Edge of Time and Space,” 5th Miaoli Ceramics Award—1st Prize, Social Division, Miaoli, Taiwan
- “Anthropomorphic Cat,” 7th Kapfenberg Ceramics Biennale Finalist, Kapfenberg, Austria
- “Dissociative Experience,” 7th Taipei Ceramics Awards—1st Prize, New Taipei City, Tai