about the artist
Andrea Liao [pronounced "lyao"] is a Hakka-Chinese Canadian ceramic artist, originally from India. She has a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and languages. Her eye for beauty and natural hands-on talent led to her exploring an array of creative mediums: from sewing and embroidery to jewelry-making, glasswork, gouache and watercolor painting, light woodworking, and ceramics.
In Spring 2022, Andrea immersed herself in the tactile art of pottery-making through seasonal classes at the Gardiner Museum. She continued to refine her skills at the Creative Clay Studio until fall of 2023, when she attended the ceramics certificate program at the Haliburton School of Art + Design. This experience honed her proficiency in wheel-throwing and kickstarted her deeper exploration of glaze chemistry. Since then, she has continued to explore her style at her own studio with Akin Collective in Toronto.
With unwavering dedication to her craft, Andrea Liao continues her journey, seeking to refine her personal craftsmanship and unearth new dimensions in her ceramic artistry. She aims to participate in local markets and residencies in the upcoming years and hopes to earn a place in the artisan community as a promising new artist.
from the artist
what i love most about ceramics as a medium is that it starts out as a "feeling" based art. when i'm on the wheel, my breath aligns with the rise and fall of the clay, and my thoughts melt into it. the clay in my hands, the wheel spinning—it is meditative, a moment of serenity.
my pieces resonate with the contemplations of my inner world. each creation serves as an intimate reflection of my artistic journey, shaped by an insatiable curiosity to explore diverse pottery techniques. the contemporary ceramists i admire inspire me to push the boundaries of my craftsmanship, fueling my desire to innovate and evolve. i am drawn to aesthetics that seamlessly blend vibrant hues, organic textures, and the elegance of minimalist design, allowing each item to stand as a testament to both form and function.
my work externalizes the emotions and thoughts that pulse within me. each piece is a tangible expression of my inner world, a vessel through which i pour out the present atmosphere of my mind. it is a journey of unburdening, a way to make the intangible solid, and a means to offer a piece of myself for the world to connect with and appreciate.
curriculum vitae
Education
Ceramics, Fleming College, Haliburton School of Art + Design, 2023
Executive Office Administration, Seneca College, 2015
Student Exchange Program, Hanyang University, 2013-2014
East Asian Studies, Hons. BA., York University, 2014
Professional Affiliations
Ceramics Technician, NSS, TDSB, 2024
Newsletter Executive, Toronto Potters, 2024
Member, Toronto Potters, 2023
Studio Member, Creative Clay Studio, Spring & Summer, 2023
Student Member (Hand-building, Intro & Intermediate Wheel-throwing, Stoneware), Gardiner Museum, 2022-2023
Languages
Native proficiency in English and Hindi
Limited proficiency in Hakka-Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
