On December 30th, the “SHE” Power in Ceramic Art – Exhibition of Works by Gen Z Women Ceramicists opened at the Xianghu Campus Museum of Jingdezhen Ceramic University. The opening ceremony was announced by Pu Shouzhi, Secretary of the University’s Party Committee. Lyu Pinchang, Deputy Party Secretary and Acting President, delivered a speech, while Wang Juan, Deputy Director of the External Communication Department of the Jiangxi Provincial Publicity Office, also addressed the audience. Zhang Jingjing, the curator and Dean of the International School, introduced the exhibition, and participating artists Wang Xiaochen and Pelin Dal (Turkey) shared their thoughts. The ceremony was hosted by Hu Yinjiao, a member of the University’s Party Committee and Vice President.
Pu Shouzhi officially declared the exhibition open
Attending the opening ceremony were Dong Zhen, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the Jingdezhen Municipal Committee; Yang Zhimin, Member of the University Party Committee and Minister of the Organization Department; Zeng Desheng, Member of the University Party Committee and Minister of the Publicity Department; Shu Huijuan, Executive President of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association and Chinese Ceramic Art Master; Zhang Yalin, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association; Wang Yaoling, Vice President of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association; Chen Qi, Vice President of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association; Chen Mei, Vice President of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association and Guangxi Ceramic Art Master; Qiu Meigui, Vice President of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association and Fujian Arts and Crafts Master; Chen Jun, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Female Ceramic Artists Association and Chinese Ceramic Design Art Master; Zhang Yinling, Chinese Ceramic Art Master; Fu Changmin, Chinese Arts and Crafts Master; Tian Jing, Provincial Representative Inheritor of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage Jianshui Purple Pottery Craft; Ai Jun, Director of the University Party Committee (President’s) Office; Huang Sheng, Dean of the School of Fine Arts; Yu Jianfeng, Dean of the School of Design and Art; Zhan Wei, Director of the Museum; Li Zhihong, Professor at Shandong University of Arts; Chen Yan, Deputy Director of the Jianyang Jian Zhan Cultural Industry Research and Development Center in Fujian Province; Hu Bo, General Manager of Jingdezhen Guoxin Cifang Ceramic Co., Ltd.; Xue Xuan, Director of the Taoxichuan Art Museum; Yi Guangying, Director of the Taoxichuan Art Center; Australian artist Ju-Shih Li; Italian artist Sara Dario; along with 32 international ceramic artists from countries including Germany, France, and Turkey, and more than 140 domestic ceramic artists from various ceramic-producing regions and universities.
Acting president Lyu Pinchang
Lyu Pinchang stated that in recent years, the university has been committed to deepening exchanges and cooperation in the international ceramic field. The university is making significant strides toward becoming an important base for ceramic talent cultivation, ceramic technological innovation, and ceramic cultural and artistic exchange both nationally and globally. He emphasized that the purpose of hosting the exhibition was to tell China’s story, showcase the artistic achievements of female ceramic artists worldwide, and strengthen communication among female ceramic artists globally. By doing so, the university aims to forge stronger connections between China and the world, creating a new platform for international and regional cooperation and exchange through the medium of ceramic culture. He expressed the hope of further enhancing communication and cooperation among global ceramic artists, bringing China and the world closer together, and contributing to the prosperous development of global ceramic culture.
Vice President Hu Yinjiao
Wang Juan from the Jiangxi Provincial Publicity Office
Wang Juan discussed the efforts of the Provincial Publicity Department in recent years to thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping’s important discourse on international communication work. She highlighted ceramics as a representative symbol of Jiangxi and emphasized the department's active promotion of ceramic culture to the world, fostering the exchange and mutual learning of civilizations. Wang noted that the works of Gen Z female ceramic artists serve as an important window and bridge for showcasing the charm of China’s excellent traditional culture and promoting international cultural exchanges. She expressed hope that through this exhibition, more people would be able to delve into the inner world of Gen Z female ceramic artists, experience the artistic appeal and cultural depth of ceramics, and contribute significantly to expanding cultural exchanges and promoting the global dissemination of Chinese traditional culture.
Zhang Jingjing, Curator and Dean of the International School
Zhang Jingjing gave an introduction of the exhibition, highlighting that the works on display were rich in content and diverse in form. She noted that the exhibition transcended the boundaries of craftsmanship and gender differences, showcasing how female ceramic artists observe and reflect on art and life. The works also demonstrated the unique artistic charm of female artists—both gentle and resilient. Zhang expressed the hope that this exhibition would serve as a starting point for the ongoing development of a more open, inclusive, diverse, and vibrant international platform for female ceramic art exchange, further strengthening the international spread of Chinese ceramic art.
Wang Xiaochen, a representative of the artists
Wang Xiaochen shared that the exhibition encouraged bold innovation and diverse expressions, reflecting the inclusive, innovative spirit and character of Gen Z female ceramic artists. In the rich variety of works, she felt the immense power and infinite potential contained in the creations of female ceramic artists. These artists use ceramics as a medium for artistic expression but transcend the medium itself, playing a significant role on the international stage and driving the development of both contemporary Chinese ceramics and global ceramic art.
Pelin Dal (Turkey), a representative of the artists
In her speech, Pelin Dal expressed her gratitude forJCU's contributions to the international academic and artistic fields, as well as its strong support for artists. She mentioned that the exhibition has attracted significant attention and enthusiastic responses from female ceramic artists across 24 countries and regions, gathering creative energy from women artists worldwide. Pelin expressed pride in being part of this international exhibition alongside these outstanding female artists and hoped that such exhibitions could be held regularly, attracting more female artists to participate.
The exhibition was organized by JCU and co-hosted by the project team of the National Social Science Fund's major project "Research on the Internationalization Strategy of Chinese Ceramic Art," the "Gen Z" Ceramic Research and Study Project, the university’s Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, International School, Museum, School of Fine Arts, School of Design and Art, as well as the "Ceramic Road" International Ceramic Education Alliance, the Ceramic Branch of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association, and the Jingdezhen Female Ceramic Artists Association. The exhibition has received enthusiastic responses from female ceramic artists in 24 countries and regions, including China, the United States, France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Thailand, and Italy. After initial and secondary evaluations by the organizing and judging committees, 304 works were selected from a total of 658 submissions. The works span a variety of categories, including modern ceramics, ceramic sculpture, ceramic painting, and everyday ceramics. The exhibition will run until March 30, 2025.
Reported by Lan Xi, Guan Shaoxuan, and Liu Ying
Photos by Chen Xiangyu and Li Zhengyang
