Jingdezhen, China, October 22 (Zhu Ying) – “The song ‘Blue and White Porcelain’ has gained popularity across the strait. When I stepped onto the land that inspired the lyric ‘the sky blue awaits the misty rain,’ it felt as if I could hear echoes of history, with countless craftsmen’s hard work and artistic creations unfolding before my eyes,” remarked Taiwanese youth Yang Qingyi during her visit to Jingdezhen on the 22nd.
On this day, the 2024 Cross-Strait (Jingdezhen) Ceramic Culture Exchange Event and the Cross-Strait Ceramic Artists Exhibition were inaugurated in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi. Ceramics artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, along with Taiwanese youths, explored the renowned “thousand-year porcelain capital,” engaged in the exhibition, participated in cultural exchange seminars, and took part in hands-on ceramic experiences.
“A city like Jingdezhen holds half the history of ceramics,” said Yang. Jingdezhen has risen to fame and prosperity through its porcelain, now home to over 300 Taiwanese ceramic artists who have established their careers, aptly termed “Jingdrifters.”
Ceramic artist Zhuo Bocheng, hailing from the Yingge District in New Taipei City—often referred to as “Taiwan’s Jingdezhen”—shared with the reporter that the ceramic cultures of both sides share deep-rooted connections. “Taiwanese ceramic artists build upon traditional Chinese ceramic culture while integrating local characteristics and innovative elements, creating a uniquely charming Taiwanese ceramic style.”
Ahead of the opening ceremony, cross-strait ceramic artists and Taiwanese youths explored cultural sites like the Jingdezhen China Ceramic Museum and the Taoxichuan Cultural and Creative Block, delving into the ancient and modern secrets of ceramic culture and reminiscing about the ties that bind both sides.
Taiwanese ceramic artist and youth Yuzu (pseudonym), who has been studying ceramics for nearly two years, expressed her surprise at the number of young people from around the world drawn to Jingdezhen. “How can creativity be transformed into reality? What direction should I take in the future? These are the answers I hope to find on this journey,” she commented.
According to Taiwanese artist Feng Ruilun, this exchange is not only a platform for artistic skill development but also a profound interaction and collision of cultures that share common roots. “Taiwan and the mainland share the same cultural foundation, and our ceramic art too carries the weight of the history and culture from this land,” he noted.
Yang Qingyi concluded that through this event, the collision and fusion of different creative philosophies and techniques would inspire the birth of more ceramic works that embody both contemporary characteristics and artistic value.