Yamei Peng
彭雅美
Handcrafting thousands of fern leaves, through repeated refinement, she delves into the depths of time, practicing patiently and steadily.”
Working primarily with clay, stainless steel, and copper, Yamei Peng is one of the few contemporary Taiwanese female artists dedicated long-term to large-scale sculpture. Her work is deeply inspired by the mountains, seas, and cultural environment of Hualien, integrating natural imagery and life experiences to develop a resilient and expressive sculptural language.
Since 1980, her artistic journey has progressed through phases such as Life in All Its Forms, Spiritual Growth, Tzu Chi Ceramic Lamps, and Fern Era Elegance. Evolving from explorations of human emotion to reflections on nature and philosophy, her work demonstrates a continuous trajectory of innovation and transformation. Her Fern Series, in particular, symbolizes subtle yet resilient life force and has received recognition in numerous domestic and international ceramic competitions.
In recent years, Yamei Peng has ventured into large-scale metal sculpture, combining strength with delicacy. These works not only echo the rhythms of Hualien’s mountains and seas but also expand her presence internationally, opening a new chapter in her artistic practice. At times, her sculptures curl toward the light, alluding to life’s fragility and the yearning for hope; at other times, they radiate warmth and humanity. Clay carries the memory of time, and at the intersection of softness and strength, her sculptures shape the living essence of the present moment.
Education
2010 – Advanced Metalsmithing Program, Graduate School, University of West Carolina, USA
2010 – Penland School of Craft, North Carolina, USA
2004 – Visiting Artist & Art Exchange, Edith Cowan University, Australia
2002 – International Ceramic Workshop, Tainan National University of the Arts, Taiwan
1984 (Jun) – Bachelor of Fine Arts, Department of Fine Arts, Shih Chien University, Taiwan
2021: Chief Juror, International Hualien Ceramic Craft & Design Competition
2014–2015: Ceramic Landscape Planning & Instructor, Xibao Community, Hualien
2008: Adjunct Ceramic Instructor, Department of Art Creation, National Dong Hwa University
1999–2001: Ceramic Landscape Planning & Instructor, Xibao Elementary School, Hualien
1994–1995: Adjunct Ceramic Instructor, Department of Metallurgy, Dah-Han Senior Industrial & Commercial School
1993: Recipient, 3rd Heritage Award, Hualien County Cultural Center
1987–Present: Founder & Director, Yamei Peng Ceramic Studio; dedicated to ceramic creation and teaching
1985–1986: Full-time Ceramic Instructor, Department of Fine Arts, Da-Ming Senior Industrial & Commercial School
Professional Experience
Exhibitions
2025 (Aug–Sep) “Fern·Reflections” – Solo Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei)
2025 (Jan–Mar) “As If Everything is Hopeful” – Solo Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Hualien Cultural Affairs Bureau)
2024 (Jun) “Fusion – Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society Joint Exhibition” (Spotlight Art Museum, Yingge)
2023 (Nov) “Love – Boundless in Clay” – Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society Joint Exhibition (Hsinchu Art Museum)
2025 (Aug–Sep) “Fern·Reflections” – Solo Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei)
2025 (Jan–Mar) “As If Everything is Hopeful” – Solo Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Hualien Cultural Affairs Bureau)
2024 (Jun) “Fusion – Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society Joint Exhibition” (Spotlight Art Museum, Yingge)
2023 (Nov) “Love – Boundless in Clay” – Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society Joint Exhibition (Hsinchu Art Museum)
2023 (Oct–Nov) “Boundless in Clay” – Sculpture Group Exhibition (Palm Pearl Art Museum)
2023 (Jul–Sep) “Paths of Light” – The Lives of East Coast Women Artists (Hualien Stone Sculpture Museum)
2022 – WHATZ International Contemporary Art Fair
2022 (Feb–Mar) “Human as the Center” – Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society Exhibition (New Taipei Yingge Ceramics Museum)
2021 (Oct) “Hualien Ceramics: Land of Abundance” – Group Exhibition (Hualien Cultural Creative Park, Building 10)
2021 (Feb) Taiwan Ceramic Sculpture Society 1st Members’ Exhibition – Transcendence (Taoyuan Arts Center)
2019 (Jul–Sep) “Fern·Awakening – The Substance and Transformation of Yamei Peng” (New Taipei Yingge Ceramics Museum)
2018 (Dec–2019 Mar) “Blossoming and Thriving” – Ceramic Sculpture Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Hualien Stone Sculpture Museum)
2018 (Feb) “Tradition and Innovation” – Contemporary Taiwanese Ceramic Sculpture Joint Exhibition (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Taipei)
2017 (Jul–2018 Jan) Invited Artist, Presidential Office Art Gallery (Taipei)
2006 (Jan–Feb) “Silent Clarity” – Ceramic Lamp Exhibition (Tzu Chi Foundation, Hualien)
2005 (Nov–Dec) “A Decade in Clay” – Retrospective Exhibition by Yamei Peng (Tzu Chi Foundation, Hualien)
2005 (Feb–Apr) “Ode to Life, Endlessly Flowing” – Solo Exhibition by Yamei Peng (New Taipei Yingge Ceramics Museum)
2002 – Invited Artist, Presidential Office Art Gallery (Taipei, 4-month exhibition)
1997 – Teacher–Student Ceramic Exhibition (Hualien Cultural Center)
1990 – “Yamei Legends: Humanity Series” – Solo Exhibition (Hualien Cultural Center)
1989 – Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition (Taiwan Provincial Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung)
2019 (Sep) – “Infinity” and “Zero Limit” selected as finalists, 2020 Taiwan International Ceramics Biennale
2018 (Jun) – “Origin of Life II” selected as finalist, 38th L’Alcora International Ceramic Competition, Spain
2017 – “Waves” selected as finalist, 39th Gualdo Tadino International Ceramic Competition, Italy
2017 – “Endless” selected, Taiwan Ceramic Awards – Special Jury Prize
2016 – “Silent Shock” selected, Taiwan International Ceramics Biennale
2015 – “Metamorphosis · Flourishing” selected, Yilan Art Exhibition
2015 – Public Art Project “Painting Dreams, e-Generation”, awarded First Prize, Huagang Junior High School Project, Hualien
2015 – “Abundant Vitality” awarded Special Jury Prize, 7th Taiwan Golden Ceramic Awards; “Walking · Grass” awarded Selected Prize
2014 – “Whirl” selected, 29th Gold Coast International Ceramic Award, Australia
2014 – “Symbiosis and Harmony” selected, Annual Invitational Exhibition, Springfield Art Association, Illinois, USA
1992 – Selected, 19th Taipei Art Exhibition
1992 – Selected, 46th Taiwan Provincial Fine Arts Exhibition
1992 – Selected, 4th Taiwan Ceramics Biennale
Competitions & Awards
Collections & Public Art
2024 (Jun) – Public Art “Eternal Light”, collected by Seegene Biotech Co., Ltd.
2018 (Jun) – “Origin of Life II”, collected by Museu de Ceràmica de l’Alcora, Spain
2017 – “Metamorphosis · Flourishing” and “Stirring”, collected by Hu Art Collection
2016 – Public Art “Painting Dreams, e-Generation”, permanently installed in Huagang Junior High School Lobby, Hualien
2011 (Oct) – Commissioned by a prominent dentist in Hualien, “Pure Spring Lotus” series
2008 – Commissioned by a Taipei entrepreneur, “River Through Time”
2007 – Collected by Hualien Tzu Chi Committee, “Peaceful Heart” series
2006–2007 – Commissioned by a renowned Hualien physician, “Qing’s Home” series
2006 – Public Art “Under the Apple Tree” and “Moonlit Warm Flow”, collected by Qin Yue Postnatal Care Center
2006 – 70 works permanently collected by Tzu Chi Foundation, Hualien Jing Si Hall
2003 – 8 ceramic lamp works, Changhua Jing Si Branch
2002 – Public Art, Hualien Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall, 1st Floor, “Silent Clarity”, 10 works
2002 – Public Art, Hualien Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall, 6th Floor, “Universe Series”, 72 works
1999–2001 – Public Art, Hualien Tzu Chi Jing Si Hall, 2nd Floor Lobby, Ceramic Lamp Series, 16 works