Porcelain sculptures captivate viewers through their delicate yet powerful expressions of tension and balance. Artists achieve these effects through meticulous control of form, weight distribution, and visual composition.

To create tension, sculptors often employ asymmetrical designs that suggest movement or instability. They might elongate certain elements, create precarious-looking arrangements, or use sharp angles that imply energy and stress within the material. The contrast between the fragile nature of porcelain and these dynamic forms amplifies the sense of tension.

Balance in porcelain art manifests through both symmetrical and asymmetrical approaches. Classical symmetrical balance creates harmony through mirrored forms, while asymmetrical balance achieves equilibrium through careful distribution of visual weight. Artists consider both physical balance (ensuring the piece stands properly) and visual balance (creating pleasing compositions).

Key techniques include:

1. Strategic weight distribution in the base versus top elements

2. Contrast between smooth and textured surfaces

3. Careful consideration of negative space

4. Dynamic line work that guides the viewer's eye

5. Color gradations that suggest depth or movement

Contemporary artists often push these principles further by combining traditional porcelain techniques with modern abstract forms, creating works that simultaneously convey fragility and strength, movement and stillness - the essence of tension and balance in ceramic art.