[2017] Pearl Celadon
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During my two-month residency in Jingdezhen, China, I developed the Pearl-Celadon series. Jingdezhen is known as the porcelain capital of the world is a city that has been synonymous with porcelain for centuries, and it is here that the discovery of kaolin, a key component in porcelain, was made. It is fascinating to note that the reason we call this material ‘kaolin’ is actually an accident.
a French Jesuit priest lived in Jingdezhen in the 18th century and studied the techniques used in the production of porcelain. During his research, he noticed that a particularly type of clay was used in the creation of porcelain. He called it “kaolin”, however this was later revealed to be a misspelling he made hearing the Chinese residents refer to the Gaulin mountains where the clay was found.
As I explored Jingdezhen, I found myself immersed in the crafts passed on by distant ancestors. I learned about the intricate processes involved in creating blue and white porcelain, carving porcelain, and celadon glazing. It was awe-inspiring to see the level of skill and dedication required to create these works of art, and I was humbled by the opportunity to learn from the masters of the craft.
In my work during the residency, I sought to pay homage to the rich history of porcelain in Jingdezhen. I was under supervision to correctly apply the ancient techniques and motifs and later incorporated them into my own style. Through this work I chose to honour the significance of this region as a hub of artistic and cultural exchange, where traditions have been passed down through generations of master craftsmen.
Overall, my time in Jingdezhen was a deeply transformative experience, both artistically and personally. I am grateful for the opportunity to have learned from the masters of the craft and to have been immersed in the rich history of porcelain in this region.