On the morning of December 4, the opening ceremony of the“Gen Z” International Ceramic Art Competition Exhibitionwas held at the JCU Museum. Hu Yinjiao, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice President of JCU, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. The ceremony was presided over by Zeng Desheng, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Director of the Publicity Department. Representatives from the School of Fine Arts, School of Design Art, the Museum, the Party Committee Student Affairs Department (Graduate Affairs Office and Student Affairs Office), the International College, and other relevant departments and schools were also present.
In her remarks, Hu Yinjiao noted that ceramic art is one of the oldest languages of human civilization, carrying the memories and wisdom of different cultures and serving as a vital link in exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations. As the only multidisciplinary university in China named after ceramics, Jingdezhen Ceramic University has remained deeply rooted in the rich soil of ceramic culture since its founding, upholding its mission of promoting Chinese ceramic culture and revitalizing China’s ceramic industry while cultivating generations of outstanding professionals. As an important component of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee’s “Gen Z” international communication program, the competition and exhibition provide not only a platform for young artists from around the world to showcase their work, but also a valuable space for cross-cultural dialogue. She encouraged visitors to immerse themselves in this ceramic art landscape shaped by global Generation Z students and to witness how ceramic art is revitalized in the hands of a new generation of artists.
Zeng Desheng (Director of the JCU Publicity Department) hosts the opening ceremony
During the ceremony, Cao Xuchen, a doctoral student at JCU, and Antaegyun, an international student at JCU, spoke as award-winning representatives. After introducing the creative concept behind his workClouded Peaks, Cao called on young creators of the new era to use ceramics as a bridge linking tradition and the future, presenting a new vision of Chinese ceramics to the world. Antaegyun expressed his admiration for the profound appeal of Chinese ceramic culture and shared his hope to create more mature and sincere works in the future, allowing more people to feel the warmth and power of ceramic art.
Zhan Wei, curator of the exhibition and director of the university museum, introduced the exhibition and noted that the submitted works transcend not only geographical boundaries but also cultural and conceptual ones, reflecting the integration and coexistence of diverse artistic elements.
Hu Yinjiao presents awards to the first-prize winners
Zeng Desheng presents awards to the second-prize winners
Huang Sheng (Dean of the School of Fine Arts) and Yu Jianfeng (Dean of the School of Design Art) present awards to the third-prize winners
The exhibition received more than 480 submissions from over 20 universities across more than 10 countries. Following two rounds of comprehensive evaluation, 3 works were awarded first prize, 5 second prize, 10 third prize, 20 excellence awards, and 72 finalist awards. The exhibited works not only demonstrate the distinctive creativity and refined craftsmanship of young artists, but also highlight the global reach and growing influence of ceramic art. With a global perspective, Generation Z artists have reinterpreted and redefined the concepts of “clay” and “porcelain,” infusing ceramic art with new vitality.
Reported by Guan Shaoxuan and Wei Jiali
Photos by Gu Xinyue and Zou Yihan
