In April this year, Yan Yonghao, Associate Professor and MA supervisor from the Experimental Art Teaching and Research Section of the School of Fine Arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University (JCU), was invited by Professor He Shanying of the Department of Art at Queens College, City University of New York, to undertake a visiting research program and artistic creation in the United States. On November 11, Yan held her solo exhibitionRelationshipsat the Klapper Hall Art Gallery at Queens College.
During her visiting scholarship, Yan audited multiple courses in ceramics and video art, and took part in student exhibitions, midterm reviews, graduation shows, and open studio events, gaining in-depth insight into art education and creative processes in U.S. universities. Beyond the classroom, she completed coursework alongside American students, engaged in long-term creation in ceramic studios, and participated in exhibitions, workshops, academic lectures, and artist open studios. She also visited major museums and art institutions in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., accumulating rich material for cross-cultural artistic creation.
After nearly seven months of work, Yan presented her solo exhibitionRelationshipson November 11 at the Klapper Hall Art Gallery. The exhibition showcased her multimedia works produced during the visiting period, including 11 photographic works—seven from theDiversityseries and four from theBack Viewseries; four video works—three filmed in China and one,Relationships, created in New York; and three ceramic installation works,Fragments Peace,The Red Studio, andWhen the Mummy Wake in the Met. Centered on the theme of “relationships,” the exhibition explored connections between people, cultures, individuals, and the world. Through the interweaving of photography, video, and ceramics, it constructed an artistic space that transcended geography, culture, and time.
Prior to the exhibition opening, Yan delivered a one-hour lecture titledFrom Screen to Clay: Exploring the Relationships Between Image and Material. The lecture attracted a large audience of faculty and students and generated lively discussion. She shared her reflections and practices in combining video and ceramic art, and discussed the process of translating visual language into material expression, sparking strong interest and interaction.
The exhibition opening was held in a vibrant atmosphere, attended by Queens College President Frank Wu and senior administrator Simone Yearwood, who also took part in several interactive art activities. The exhibition drew visitors from various countries, including groups of secondary school students from South America, Russian visitors, and student groups led by professors. Many audience members actively engaged with the works and left comments, with students noting that the exhibition was inspiring and offered a unique perspective on the convergence of Eastern and Western cultures in New York.
Some of the video works featured scenes from Jingdezhen and the JCU campus, presenting vivid urban and educational landscapes. After viewing the exhibition, many visitors expressed interest in Jingdezhen’s ceramic culture, with some learning for the first time about Jingdezhen’s history and contemporary development as the “Porcelain Capital of the World.”
Relationshipswas not only a presentation of Yan Yonghao’s personal artistic practice, but also a meaningful exercise in cross-cultural exchange. Through video and ceramic works, the exhibition introduced broader audiences to the cultural character of Jingdezhen and Jingdezhen Ceramic University, while offering valuable experience and reference for China–U.S. exchanges in art education and artistic creation. It demonstrated the possibilities of artistic practice across cultural contexts and helped build a bridge for the university’s international cooperation and cultural communication.
Reported by Yan Yonghao, School of Fine Arts
