Pottery by a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice and world-renowned artist
Shao Fang Sheng (often addressed as "Madame Sheng") was born on September 13, 1918, in Tientsin (Tianjin), China. She would go on to become a world-renowned artist whose work bridged Chinese traditions and modernist sensibilities. Her life story represents an important cross-cultural connection in American architectural and design history.
In 1947, Shao Fang Sheng and her husband, Mr. S.P. Sheng, came to the United States on scholarships as apprentices to Frank Lloyd Wright. They were part of the Taliesin Fellowship, Wright's architectural training program, and were among the few Chinese apprentices to work with the legendary architect.
The connection to Frank Lloyd Wright makes Shao Fang Sheng's pottery particularly significant to collectors of Wright-related items. As apprentices in the Taliesin Fellowship, she and her husband were immersed in Wright's design philosophy, which emphasized organic forms and the integration of art and architecture.
This influence is evident in her pottery, which shows the influence of organic forms that were central to Wright's design philosophy. Her work represents the broader artistic output of the Taliesin community, where apprentices were encouraged to explore various art forms beyond architecture.
Shao Fang Sheng created pottery with distinctive forms and glazes that reflected both her Chinese heritage and modernist sensibilities. The pottery vase in this collection features a simple, elegant form with a light beige/cream glaze with speckles, demonstrating her mastery of both form and surface treatment.
Her work is characterized by clean lines, organic shapes, and a sophisticated understanding of materials. She signed her work, making it identifiable to collectors and adding to its provenance and historical value.
After her time with Wright, Shao Fang Sheng settled in Williamstown, West Virginia in 1959. She remained active in the arts throughout her life and was accomplished in multiple disciplines including painting, music, architecture, and sports. Remarkably, she reportedly played center field for the Chinese women's national baseball team.
She established endowment funds at Florida Southern College and WVU-P for students from China and the USA, demonstrating her commitment to international education and cultural exchange. She passed away on April 22, 2009, in Marietta, Ohio, leaving behind a son, Wei-Chung Sheng, his wife Rosalina Sheng, and a granddaughter, Nadia Sheng.
Watch a video showcasing Shao Fang Sheng's pottery work:
Watch Video on VimeoShao Fang Sheng represents an important cross-cultural connection in American architectural and design history. As Chinese apprentices of Wright during the post-WWII period, she and her husband were part of an international exchange of design ideas that helped illustrate how Wright's influence extended globally and across different media beyond architecture.
Her work helps document the diverse community of artists and architects who were influenced by Wright's teachings, and her pottery pieces serve as tangible connections to this important period in design history.
Shao Fang Sheng's pottery is highly collectible, particularly among those interested in mid-century modern design and Frank Lloyd Wright's circle. Small pottery pieces like the vase in this collection have been valued in the $30-100 range depending on condition and provenance, with larger or more significant works commanding higher prices.
The signature and documented connection to Frank Lloyd Wright add significant value and historical significance to her work. Her pottery represents a unique intersection of Chinese artistic traditions, modernist design principles, and the influence of one of America's greatest architects.
Today, Shao Fang Sheng's work continues to inspire collectors and scholars interested in the global reach of modernist design principles. Her pottery serves as a reminder of the international nature of design education and the ways in which cultural exchange can enrich artistic practice.
Her legacy lives on through her artwork, her contributions to educational institutions, and the ongoing interest in her unique position as both a Chinese artist and a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice. Her work represents an important chapter in the story of how modernist design principles spread globally and influenced artists working in various media.