A Conversation with Felicia Chiao

Collaboration at Heath means two things: a chance to celebrate fresh creative perspectives, and an opportunity to experiment, explore, and reimagine what’s possible within the realms of craft and design.

This month, we welcome beloved Bay Area artist Felicia Chiao for 'Home: Works on Clay', a new collaborative show in San Francisco. The collection translates Felicia’s wonderfully surreal, richly detailed illustrations to the third dimension across a host of beloved Heath pieces, highlighting both the artist’s singular visual language and the flexibility of ceramics as a medium.

The show kicks off with an opening party on Friday, November 7, and you can stop by and see the pieces in the Heath SF gallery space through Sunday, November 16.

Curious how the collaboration came about? Read on for our conversation with Felicia.

What prompted you to work with Heath?

I’ve been a fan of Heath and Tung for years and I’ve always loved his Design Series shows. I believe I posted a story about a set of plates that I got from the Clay Studio, and Tung DM’ed me asking if I would like to paint some plates. I don’t think either of us had a show in mind; we just wanted to play and it evolved from there. I rarely do collaborations, but I knew Heath to have very high quality and standards so I felt like I was in good hands.

Can you talk a little bit about where the show’s title, 'Home', comes from?

I work from home normally, and when I am out I am constantly thinking about going home, so it’s pretty in line with my usual vibe. I was working out of the Boiler Room with the Clay Studio team for months— long enough to start feeling like I was an actual employee—so I joked that the studio felt like a second home.

I also like to think of the things we made as pieces people will take into their own homes that will be a part of their lives moving forward. I like to think I am contributing to other people’s sense of home.

Your background is primarily in illustration and painting, so this show is a bit of a departure for you. How does working with a three-dimensional “canvas” impact your approach?

My background is actually industrial design. I majored in it and worked as a designer in both the toy and food industries. In college, I did a lot of wood- and metalworking, and in my career I handled a lot of material and packaging design, so I actually love working three-dimensionally. The illustration career came about as sort of an accident. I draw a lot for fun, and it doesn’t require a machine shop or any sort of equipment, so it is something I am able to do all the time. Coming back to 3D work with Heath was really lovely and fun and didn’t really feel too different from what I usually do.

The intricacy of your visual language really comes through on these pieces. Can you speak to the techniques used to translate your work?

We tested several different techniques for months and settled on etching, painting with underglaze, and luster for the show pieces. We picked what I seemed to be best at, which is clean line work and a steady hand, so it translates across most mediums. I have been drawing almost every day for the last 10 years or more so I have a lot of built in muscle memory as well as a defined style and consistency. I also have been making at least one finished drawing a week since 2019 so I had a library of existing work we could translate directly onto the Heath items.

Your work is playful, but also deeply personal—you’ve remarked that art helps you explore and articulate your emotions. Does Home have an emotional through line?

My original goal when I met Tung was to make some plates that looked like the intricate blue and white Chinese porcelain dishes I grew up with. The designs are very fancy but also ubiquitous and range across everything from fine dining to cheap plastic dishes. I didn’t appreciate them as a child, but as an adult I have a bit of a soft spot for them and wanted to make my own versions. You know you’re getting old when looking back at things gives you some comfort!

There are other types of designs in the show as well, but I think the traditional Chinese looking ones are my favorite. I also carved a very large bowl and added a San Francisco reference for the first time ever in my work. I’m coming up on 10 years living in this city and I think working with Heath has really helped to solidify the feeling that this is my home.

Do you have any personal favorite pieces from the show?

There are three Deep Serving Bowls with etched designs—they look so good together, and I want to take them with me! But I think the piece I am most proud of is the large blue vase. Tung found a vase drawing of mine and offered to have the custom shape made for the show (thanks Reese!). It was truly crazy to see my vase design made in real life—and in Heath’s style!

I also spent about four days, eight hours straight each day, etching the design into this vase. It was really really difficult and Reese had actually thrown two vases in case I messed up the first one, so we all knew it was going to be a bit of a challenge. It really feels equal parts Heath and me—it’s a “pinch me” moment every time I look at it.

'Home: Works on Clay' is open to the public, from Saturday, November 8 through Sunday, November 16 in Heath San Francisco’s gallery space during regular showroom hours.