A Brazilian artist's dream forged in porcelain

NANCHANG — Against the redbrick backdrop of the Taoxichuan cultural and creative district in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Brazilian artist Viviane Diehl stands out with her striking red hair.

For the 62-year-old visual artist, her presence in this ancient porcelain capital is the realization of a longtime dream. "The moment I began learning about porcelain, I knew I had to come to China," Diehl says.

Her journey to the heart of Chinese ceramics began with fellow artists who had worked in Jingdezhen's Sanbao village. After returning to Brazil, they shared stories about the city at exhibitions and art events, sparking Diehl's fascination.

"I've loved art since childhood," she says, recalling how she began studying ceramic painting at 15, learning every step from glazing to firing.

That passion has blossomed into tangible creations. Her artwork titled Afforest, which is on display at the Taoxichuan Art Museum until the end of August, was created during an artist residency in Jingdezhen in 2024.

"Ceramic art and nature guide human beings toward inner reflection, giving meaning to cycles and coexistence, providing a pause and reconnecting freedom to well-being and unity," Diehl wrote in the introduction.

Mastering this medium in a foreign land has been an expressive journey. Before arriving in Jingdezhen, Diehl completed a residency in Longquan, where she began experimenting with local clay and celadon glazes.

Longquan, a city in Zhejiang province, is known for its centuries-old celadon tradition, and the firing techniques of Longquan celadon were added in 2009 to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

"Working with China's local clay is an expressive challenge. Experimentation in construction, surface design with celadon glazes, and gas firing techniques is a continuous process," she says. "I am learning something new all the time."

An art teacher since 1989, Diehl describes herself as an "educator-artist". While modern technology has made ceramic knowledge more accessible worldwide, she believes Jingdezhen remains unmatched.

"We don't have another place with such quality and special techniques to make porcelain," says Diehl. This unique appeal is rooted in the city's geography and heritage.

"There's nowhere else with this level of craftsmanship and these unique porcelain-making techniques," she says. That uniqueness is rooted in the city's natural resources and centuries-old heritage.

Nestled among the hills of northeastern Jiangxi, Jingdezhen is rich in kaolin, or China clay, along with other essential materials for porcelain production. Over generations, local artisans have refined every stage of the process, from preparing clay to firing kilns.

The world has taken note. The Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List last month, filling a long-standing gap in the list for porcelain heritage. It is China's 61st World Heritage site.

Today, Jingdezhen's complete ceramics industry continues to attract artists from around the world. At peak times, more than 5,000 ceramic enthusiasts gather in the city.

Beyond its thriving industry, Jingdezhen has introduced initiatives to encourage artists to stay. In 2015, the Taoxichuan cultural and creative district launched the Migratory Bird Program, partnering with art institutions in more than 50 countries and regions and attracting some 3,600 artists from across the globe.

As Jingdezhen continues to evolve, it remains a magnet for global creators. "Jingdezhen is opening doors to the world," Diehl says.

XINHUA