On October 22, during an interview with China News Service, Taiwanese youth Yang Qingyi expressed her profound connection to the lyrics of the song “Blue and White Porcelain,” famously sung by Jay Chou. “When I stepped on the very ground where ‘Tianqing color awaits the misty rain’ originated, it felt like I could hear the echoes of history and witness the tireless efforts and artistic creations of countless artisans,” she shared.
This day marked the opening of the 2024 Cross-Strait (Jingdezhen) Ceramic Culture Exchange Activities and the Cross-Strait Ceramic Artists Exhibition in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. Artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, along with young people from Taiwan, participated in events where they explored ceramics, showcased their works, engaged in cultural exchange workshops, and took part in hands-on ceramic activities.
Describing Jingdezhen’s rich historical significance, Yang highlighted that “Jingdezhen represents half of the history of ceramics.” The city is renowned for its porcelain and has become a thriving hub, where over 300 Taiwanese ceramic artists have launched their careers, embodying the term “Jing Drift.”
Ceramic artist Zhuo Bocheng, who hails from the New Taipei City district known as the “Jingdezhen of Taiwan,” echoed these sentiments by stating that the ceramic cultures of both sides share deep historical roots. “Taiwanese ceramic artists build on the foundation of traditional Chinese ceramic culture, infusing local features and innovative elements, which result in a unique and charming Taiwanese ceramic style,” he explained.
On the eve of the opening ceremony, Taiwanese artists and youth explored the cultural heritage of ceramics at locations like the China Porcelain Museum and the Taoxichuan Cultural and Creative Street, exchanging stories that intertwine the connections between both sides of the strait.
Yuzi, a pseudonym for another Taiwanese youth who has been studying ceramics for nearly two years, expressed her astonishment at the number of young people from around the world who come to Jingdezhen. “How do they transform creativity into reality? What direction should I take in my future?” she pondered, hoping to find answers during her journey.
According to Taiwanese artist Feng Ruile, this exchange embodies not just artistic collaboration but also a deep interaction and collision of the shared cultural heritage between Taiwan and the mainland.
Yang Qingyi concluded that through this event, the exchange of diverse creative concepts and techniques will lead to the birth of more ceramics that reflect contemporary characteristics and artistic value.