O R B I T
​O F   T H R E E
​Contemporary Glazed

TYLER ZHENG
​UNCURLING FERN
​California, USA
​2025

5.5 x 9 x 9 inches
Porcelain Clay, Glaze of Natural Ash Deposits
Wood Fired to 2450°F

"This bonsai pot was made with porcelain clay and fired over three days in a wood kiln, reaching a peak temperature of 2450°F. The base consists of three legs, each wheel-thrown, altered, and assembled to create a balanced, elevated form. No glaze was applied; the surface finish is entirely the result of natural ash deposition during the firing. As pine and oak wood burned, their ash melted and vitrified on the porcelain surface, producing a deep grey-blue ash glaze punctuated by a constellation of crystals. The natural variation from the firing gives the piece its character — a surface that feels aged, organic, and well-suited to supporting a living tree."

​- Tyler Zheng

A B O U T   T Y L E R   Z H E N G

"My work is rooted in the dialogue between plants and vessels — a study of how form, function, and nature interact. Drawing from my background in engineering, I approach clay as both structure and skin, shaping planters that reflect the adaptive, sculptural qualities of plant life. Wood firing is central to my process; it introduces an unpredictable and elemental finish that mirrors the organic systems I aim to honor." - Tyler

Tyler Zheng (b. 1992, Fuzhou, China) is a San Francisco–based artist working primarily in clay with a focus on planter design. With a background in mechanical and nuclear engineering, Zheng brings a structural sensibility to his ceramic forms. Since 2020, he has been woodfiring at Cobb Mountain Art and Ecology Project, where he explores the alchemical effects of flame and ash on surface and form.


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Follow Tyler Zheng on these platforms:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncurlingfern/​
​Facebook: www.facebook.com/tyler.zheng.73
Website: www.uncurlingfern.com/

T H A N K   Y O U   T O   O U R   S P O N S O R S

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