Fragile beauty, enduring legacy

Trained in ceramic design, Lai has become known for her distinct signature: embedding porcelain knots into vessels.

The idea came to her while making an openwork vase, where she felt the cutout spaces were too empty. "I realized that if yarn can be knotted, clay coils can be too," she said.

Lai's work incorporates dense porcelain knots into vessels, a meticulous process requiring precise timing.

"If the clay dries too much, it cracks. If it's too wet, it collapses," she explained.

Her creations range from sculptural works like Knot to functional objects, such as knotted coffee cups and porcelain "instant noodles".

Lai sees her work as a bridge between art and daily life. "Chinese knots carry auspicious meaning. Integrating them into everyday objects makes that meaning tangible," she said.

Her exploration of traditional techniques in modern contexts is an example of how young artists are reimagining Dehua porcelain, connecting it with contemporary sensibilities while maintaining its cultural depth.

Zhang Heirui, 36, comes from a distinguished Dehua ceramic family. Trained by his mother, Chen Minghua, a master of Chinese ceramic arts, Zhang's work blends tradition with the influences of global culture.

His piece, Lunar Ice Cream Cone, turns porcelain into an ice cream cone shaped like the moon, complete with the Jade Rabbit — a charming work that has gained significant attention online.

"I wanted to integrate elements that young people naturally connect with," Zhang said.

However, his work is not limited to whimsical pieces. Black and White in Shakespeare's Eyes is an abstract exploration of William Shakespeare's iconic curly hair, eyes, and the sociopolitical tensions of the Renaissance, reflecting his interest in Western art and contemporary themes.

"It's a response to Western classical culture," Zhang explained. "A way of engaging with it analytically, even critically, while addressing universal questions of human nature."

Zhang's blending of contemporary trends with traditional porcelain techniques has sparked both admiration and critique.

Some traditionalists called Lunar Ice Cream Cone "too playful", and even his mother initially questioned his direction.

"They made me reflect on fundamental questions," Zhang said. "How can contemporary trends coexist with craftsmanship? How can innovation retain cultural depth?"

Building on this reflection, Zhang has brought his reinterpretations of Dehua porcelain to the international stage, attracting attention from major museums and collectors. For example, Lunar Ice Cream Cone was acquired by the Tate Modern in the UK, and Black and White in Shakespeare's Eyes by the Centre Pompidou in France.

"Porcelain is no longer just about technical skill," Zhang said."It's about the emotional connection it creates and the way it speaks to contemporary audiences while retaining its cultural roots."

Dehua porcelain's international appeal dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries when it traveled along the Maritime Silk Road to Europe. Known in the West as Blanc de Chine, its pure white aesthetic captivated aristocrats and collectors. But today, it's the innovative interpretations of young artists that are bringing Dehua porcelain to a new global audience.

"Tradition is not something to break away from," Zhang said."It's a foundation to build on."