Who is Solo Potters?
The quiet corners of Yixing
In the narrow alleys of Yixing, far away from the flashing cameras of grand exhibition halls and noise of commercial auctions, lives a community of quiet creators.
They do not belong to high-profile institutional lineages, nor do they carry grand governmental titles.
Yet, day after day, they sit at their wooden benches, their hands covered in the dust of genuine Zisha clay. They craft not for the inflation of vanity, but for the honesty of the vessel. For a long time, their stories remained confined to their studios, overshadowed by marketing labels and institutional gatekeepers.
From the system to the field
My name is Larry Quan.
Years ago, I was caught up in the fast-paced tech world, working across Shanghai, LA and San Jose. In August 2014, feeling burnt out by the relentless overtime, I decided to return to my hometown, Yixing.
I longed for the relaxation, the natural rhythm of life, the childhood memories, and the feeling of history, culture, and clay that only this place could offer.
In the beginning, I have few connections about the Yixing ceramic activities, so I decided that I need to expand my border. So I joined the local government. For the next ten years (08/2014 – 03/2025), I worked to shape Yixing’s cultural landscape. Initially in business development, I transitioned in 2018 to the Cultural and Tourism Department. There, I was privileged to lead and execute the revitalization and cultural operations of Yixing’s most iconic landmarks: the famous Shushan Old Street area (古南街), the legendary Qianshu dragon kiln (前墅龙窑) from Ming dynasty, and most recently, the highly popular Zisha Factory 2 (陶二厂) Cultural District.
Time to be real
By early 2025, after a decade in the public sector, I realized I had given what I could within the institutional framework.
Over those ten years, I got to know everyone in the community: national grandmasters, clay miners, designers, and young apprentices. Through them, I noticed a very special group of craftsmen. I wanted to turn my focus entirely toward them: the unsung, hardworking, and deeply talented independent craftspeople of Yixing.
They all have different styles, but they share the exact same core: they are “traditional” in their lifestyle, dedicated to a pure, quiet way of making. It’s an independent way of living: free from the constraints of master-disciple lineages, free from manipulative distributors, and free from conventional mental frameworks. Yet, they face a common challenge. They lack a mature channel to showcase their work, tell their stories, and share their profound connection with the clay. They just want to be seen, to be known.
The Solo Potters
After a year of contemplation and preparation, I launched Solo Potters.
I refuse to call those involved “our team.” They are not my employees or agents; they are my friends, the locals of my hometown Yixing.
This space is our shared gallery and journal. We are here to bridge the gap between these free-spirited creators and the global tea community—offering overseas tea lovers a channel to discover a more diverse, transparent, and authentic Yixing, while ensuring these artisans can sustain their passion with the dignity and respect they truly deserve.