30 Sculptures That Transform Realistic Emotions Into Surreal Art, By Johnson Tsang

Since then, the artist has developed unique techniques, and his work has earned prestigious prizes. Johnson is the first Chinese artist to receive both a Special Prize from the Korea Gyeonggi International Ceramix Biennale 2011 International Competition and the Grand Prize in the 2012 Taiwan International Ceramics Biennale.

We invite you to scroll down to explore this amazing artist’s work and witness his craftsmanship for yourself.

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Surrealism and realism blend in this expressive sculpture of a face with a hand covering the mouth, evoking deep emotion.

Bored Pandareached out to Johnson to learn more about him and his art. Johnson has been involved in ceramics for more than 30 years. He shared what inspires him to continue his venture.“Let me first briefly describe my background. I have been quiet since I was a child, but I am extremely curious about everything around me, and I especially like to be around nature. I have always believed that all things have spirits and consciousness. Flowers, grass, trees, clouds, rain, breeze, ocean, earth, rocks, and clay all have their own unique consciousness, form, energy, and essence, and they coexist harmoniously with each other. So when I was a child, I loved climbing mountains, climbing trees, catching grasshoppers, swimming at the beach, picking up shells, picking rocks in the mountain streams, looking at the sky, the sea, the clouds, and the stars. I would carefully observe and appreciate what appeared in front of me. In the tranquility, I also feel that they are also observing me with the same curiosity, talking to my soul gently and sincerely like a friend, letting me know that I am never alone; this feeling is wonderful! In my eyes, everything in the world is so beautiful. If I am a genius, I think my gift is to see beauty in everything.”

Bored Pandareached out to Johnson to learn more about him and his art. Johnson has been involved in ceramics for more than 30 years. He shared what inspires him to continue his venture.

“Let me first briefly describe my background. I have been quiet since I was a child, but I am extremely curious about everything around me, and I especially like to be around nature. I have always believed that all things have spirits and consciousness. Flowers, grass, trees, clouds, rain, breeze, ocean, earth, rocks, and clay all have their own unique consciousness, form, energy, and essence, and they coexist harmoniously with each other. So when I was a child, I loved climbing mountains, climbing trees, catching grasshoppers, swimming at the beach, picking up shells, picking rocks in the mountain streams, looking at the sky, the sea, the clouds, and the stars. I would carefully observe and appreciate what appeared in front of me. In the tranquility, I also feel that they are also observing me with the same curiosity, talking to my soul gently and sincerely like a friend, letting me know that I am never alone; this feeling is wonderful! In my eyes, everything in the world is so beautiful. If I am a genius, I think my gift is to see beauty in everything.”

Realism and surrealism blend in expressive sculpture of cups with fluid forms.

Realism and surrealism blend in a sculpted face with crumbling features, showcasing expressive art.

Johnson continued: “I still remember that when I first started holding a pencil when I was three years old, I would draw whatever I saw. I wanted to draw everything. I couldn’t control myself and indulged in what people call “drawing dolls,” which they considered a “bad behavior.” After entering elementary school, I became more serious. If you open my textbook, you will see that the blank spaces next to the text are filled with the “dolls” I drew. This also reveals a lot about my life. I chose the blank space of imagination instead of the words in the book. At that time, I was considered an inferior horse with no future, lazy, and didn’t study hard. In fact, I was very dedicated to painting. I just didn’t choose knowledge but chose a different teacher. After long training, although the “dolls” I drew at that time were already very realistic, according to my observations, the things I saw appeared in three-dimensional form. There would be many blind spots when drawing on flat paper. It could not fully display them. So, I started playing with plastic clay. Again, I wanted to pinch out everything.”

Sculptor’s face sculpture blending realism with surrealism; features trees and paths on head.

Realism and surrealism sculpture resembling intertwined masks on a table.

Most of Johnson’s works are about human appearance and expressions. We were wondering why the artist chose to express human facial features mainly instead of other body parts or other species.

In fact, I really didn’t put these face elements into my works deliberately; everything happened naturally. For most of my creations, my mode is like this - first, when I am in a quiet and peaceful state of mind, some ideas will naturally appear in my mind. I don’t know who put them in, but I know it’s not something I handled, I feel like I might have been on the receiving end. Miraculously, these ideas usually appear as a complete picture, and often in the form of a human face. The only thing I need to do is to put my emotions into it, consider the details of the production process, and use my pair of skilled hands that have been trained for a long time to turn these ideas into reality. To be honest, it felt as if I was bringing life into the world. After it was completed, it was distributed through social media, so I should have become the distributor. Everything is the most beautiful arrangement. I was arranged to have such an experience early in my life. The creator of inspiration may have chosen me to do it because I am a well-trained craftsman."

Surreal sculpture blending realism with dynamic, flowing shapes on a textured gray background.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism of a baby with wings on grass in a park.

Johnson’s works are very delicate, outlining people’s facial features, the shape of liquid splashes, etc.The artist shared how he observes the details and movements of each object or character and what these details mean.“I have not thought about these issues. Everything happened naturally. I just followed my passion. I love art and care for nature, appreciate everything in it, observe their personality traits, and long to create the things in my imagination. The beautiful images unfolded faithfully, and I was lucky enough to find the material clay, fell in love with it, got along well with it, and developed a unique set of techniques. Clay has its own unique personality and physicality in nature, and I am able to work with it simply because I have found a way to live in harmony with it. To be honest, I don’t think I have ever done any hard work. At least I don’t think it is hard work. Instead, I enjoy the process because all these things happen out of unconditional love, and love never cares about what it takes. In short, it is love that has always led me along this path, and I enjoy the joy it brings me every moment.”

Johnson’s works are very delicate, outlining people’s facial features, the shape of liquid splashes, etc.

The artist shared how he observes the details and movements of each object or character and what these details mean.

“I have not thought about these issues. Everything happened naturally. I just followed my passion. I love art and care for nature, appreciate everything in it, observe their personality traits, and long to create the things in my imagination. The beautiful images unfolded faithfully, and I was lucky enough to find the material clay, fell in love with it, got along well with it, and developed a unique set of techniques. Clay has its own unique personality and physicality in nature, and I am able to work with it simply because I have found a way to live in harmony with it. To be honest, I don’t think I have ever done any hard work. At least I don’t think it is hard work. Instead, I enjoy the process because all these things happen out of unconditional love, and love never cares about what it takes. In short, it is love that has always led me along this path, and I enjoy the joy it brings me every moment.”

Ceramic sculpture blending realism and surrealism, featuring a partially concealed human face in a cylindrical form.

Sculptor’s surreal art blending realism, with a distorted human face design in white.

As for the inspiration, Johnson shared: “‘Inspiration’ seems to be an invisible thing, but it is a powerful energy of consciousness. It is naturally generated in response to the evolution of the material world. It is as numerous as stars. It has only one purpose, which is to make the world a better place and to enhance the overall human consciousness. Grow to a higher level. Inspiration is always looking for the right objects to express themselves, such as artists, musicians, poets, scientists, mathematicians, doctors, psychologists, educators, gardeners, or anyone who can ultimately contribute to the world.I believe that inspiration is actually inexhaustible. The key is whether we can open our hearts and reserve space to accept new things at any time. When I calm down, whether I am fully immersed in creation, meditating, dazing in complete silence, walking, or even sleeping, ideas will enter my thoughts continuously. I feel that they are wandering in space, naturally flowing and floating, waiting to enter my thoughts, and the calmer I am, the easier it is for them to enter. Although these works are displayed through me, I believe that I did not create them. I am just a messenger who delivers messages. Therefore, I am only basing the names on my own interpretation and do not want to explain them because I do not fully understand the reasons and meaning behind these messages. Therefore, I hope that people can freely interpret those works in their own way and find their own answers or meanings. People always have their own reasons for being touched or resonated with, and there is always something worth learning from, something worth letting go of, or something worth being grateful for.”

I believe that inspiration is actually inexhaustible. The key is whether we can open our hearts and reserve space to accept new things at any time. When I calm down, whether I am fully immersed in creation, meditating, dazing in complete silence, walking, or even sleeping, ideas will enter my thoughts continuously. I feel that they are wandering in space, naturally flowing and floating, waiting to enter my thoughts, and the calmer I am, the easier it is for them to enter. Although these works are displayed through me, I believe that I did not create them. I am just a messenger who delivers messages. Therefore, I am only basing the names on my own interpretation and do not want to explain them because I do not fully understand the reasons and meaning behind these messages. Therefore, I hope that people can freely interpret those works in their own way and find their own answers or meanings. People always have their own reasons for being touched or resonated with, and there is always something worth learning from, something worth letting go of, or something worth being grateful for.”

Surrealist sculpture of a face being pressed by a hand, blending realism and surrealism in expressive art.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism, featuring a face and hand emerging from stretched fabric.

Two surrealist sculptures of faces blending into each other, illustrating a fusion of realism and surrealism in art.

Expressive sculpture blending realism and surrealism in a face with a stretched surface.

Johnson also shared which of his works have left the biggest impression on him.“Some people say that sculpture is a three-dimensional language. I am not good at interpersonal communication, so I lose the opportunity to express my inner world. So, for me, sculpture has a compensating effect to some extent. Those works are my life process at that time. Each work records a new discovery and inspires the creation of the next work. Therefore, every piece of work is my teacher, guiding me in the direction, leading me forward, and climbing mountains. To me, they are all precious experiences. The most important thing is that on the road of life while enjoying the scenery along the way, I learned how to truly live. The present moment is the only time that exists. Living in the moment, I always believe that what is happening now is the most profound, the only thing I can control, and the most important, so I will choose the work I am currently working on, “My Life.” (Please see the answer to question 5 for details).”

Johnson also shared which of his works have left the biggest impression on him.

“Some people say that sculpture is a three-dimensional language. I am not good at interpersonal communication, so I lose the opportunity to express my inner world. So, for me, sculpture has a compensating effect to some extent. Those works are my life process at that time. Each work records a new discovery and inspires the creation of the next work. Therefore, every piece of work is my teacher, guiding me in the direction, leading me forward, and climbing mountains. To me, they are all precious experiences. The most important thing is that on the road of life while enjoying the scenery along the way, I learned how to truly live. The present moment is the only time that exists. Living in the moment, I always believe that what is happening now is the most profound, the only thing I can control, and the most important, so I will choose the work I am currently working on, “My Life.” (Please see the answer to question 5 for details).”

Realistic and surreal sculpted head with a relaxed child figure on grassy surface.

Surrealistic sculpture featuring a splash design on a realistic face, highlighting expressive art techniques.

Lastly, looking to the future, Johnson shared his plans and projects.“In addition to continuing to complete my “life sculptures,” I also continue to cooperate with different organizations to display my works in different forms. We have been cooperating with the international art platform Avant Arte to produce limited-edition sculptures. In recent years, I have also collaborated with Parisian fashion brand Par Une Marque to turn my works into wearable art.”

Lastly, looking to the future, Johnson shared his plans and projects.

“In addition to continuing to complete my “life sculptures,” I also continue to cooperate with different organizations to display my works in different forms. We have been cooperating with the international art platform Avant Arte to produce limited-edition sculptures. In recent years, I have also collaborated with Parisian fashion brand Par Une Marque to turn my works into wearable art.”

A surreal sculpture blending realism, depicting a face being squeezed by hands, showcasing expressive art techniques.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism with a cracked, expressive face design on a smooth background.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism, featuring expressive faces in a wooden frame with one face extending outward.

Surrealism and realism blend in a sculptor’s expressive artwork depicting hands intertwined with a face.

Surrealist sculpture blending realism with expressive hands emerging from a blank face.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism shows a face with a broken facade and metal cage-like structure, hung by a hook.

Surrealism and realism blend in a sculpted human face with a sleeping figure inside.

Realism and surrealism blend in expressive sculpted faces pressed into a square frame.

Surreal sculpture of a face in expressive art style, tied with a blue string.

Surrealist sculpture of a teardrop shape with an expressive human face blending realism and surrealism.

Surrealism and realism merge in a sculpted face with a cracked brick texture and wire details on top.

Realism and surrealism blend in a sculpture of a figure curled up within a textured head.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism, depicting a joyful, large-headed baby figure in a seated pose.

A framed sculpture blending realism and surrealism, featuring an expressive human face with an open mouth.

Sculpture blending realism and surrealism: a cracked head with a red heart at the center.

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Realism and surrealism merge in expressive sculpture of a face illuminated by a lamp.

Surrealist sculpture of a human face with a door and welcome mat, blending realism and surrealism in art.

Surreal sculpture blending realism with red rope details, showcasing expressive facial features.