Meet ChengOu Yu | Ceramic Artist & Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with ChengOu Yu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi ChengOu, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I spent over a decade working full-time in the studio as an artist, where making art never felt like a job—it was something I was deeply drawn to, even while lying in bed at night. It is about fully living the life of an artist. When I transitioned into teaching at the university level, my role shifted significantly—from being solely an artist to also becoming an educator. This change brought new demands on my time and energy, and naturally, the amount of time I can now dedicate to my own studio practice has shifted.

Teaching art is still closely connected to what I love and am passionate about, but it’s a different kind of engagement. It feeds me in other ways—giving me time to reflect on my own practice, influencing how I think and talk about art, and offering new perspectives on my work. At the same time, less time in the studio can be a challenge because that’s where I feel most grounded as an artist.

I’ve come to see the relationship between teaching and making as a kind of reciprocal balance. My experiences as an artist enrich what I can offer my students, and teaching pushes me to stay sharp and thoughtful in my own creative work. Maintaining an active studio practice is essential—not just for myself, but also for being the kind of educator I want to be. That firsthand experience is what allows me to speak authentically in the classroom and model what a life in art can look like.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a ceramics artist, traditional pottery forms always have a profound influence on my practice, and I also have a lot of interest in design, architecture, and their theories. Through specific compositional, formal, and conceptual concerns, my work is constructed through analytical process with consideration of craftsmanship and materiality, while integrating various digital processes that scrutinize the systems and logic inherent in the spaces and tools used.

One series of my recent work begins with the vessel as a central concept, and I aim to explore the spatial qualities and the internal or negative space (void) it symbolizes. This idea gradually extends to other iconic objects and symbols, unfolding and generating new meanings. For instance, the human head as a vessel for thoughts and the mind, the architecture as a vessel for dwelling and living. Through these explorations, I examined the symbolic qualities of objects in a philosophical sense. I use visual and sculptural means to explore the cultural connotations and narratives attributed to objects when stripped of their functional properties.

Choosing a career as a ceramics artist is not an easy path, especially when working with a medium that holds such a long and complex history across many cultures. The breadth and depth of understanding it demands takes years to build. One thing I’ve learned over time is that it takes many “failures” to move forward. It’s important not to be afraid of them—the nature of clay requires you to grow through mistakes. While that can be discouraging, some of the most rewarding outcomes often emerge from unexpected places.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place that comes to mind is the Mint Museum, which has two locations in Charlotte: Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph. The Uptown location features more exhibitions and public programs, with a strong focus on contemporary art, craft, and design. In contrast, the Randolph location houses a larger collection of ceramics and historical decorative arts. It’s always the first place I take friends when they visit.

For food and fun, I’d bring them to Optimist Hall. It offers a great mix of food and bar stands, art installations, events, and both indoor and outdoor seating—perfect for a casual yet vibrant experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a heartfelt shoutout to my wife Jing, who has been an unwavering source of support—especially over the past two years as I navigated some incredibly difficult situations. Throughout it all, she’s been my strongest ally. She has reminded me time and again that no matter what path I choose, she’ll always be with me.

Website: https://www.chengouyu.com

Instagram: yu_chengou

Image Credits
All artwork image credit: ChengOu Yu
Personal photo credit: Jing Huang