Turkish artist dishes out high praise for Jingdezhen

NANCHANG－In China's porcelain capital of Jingdezhen in East China's Jiangxi province, many residents and taxi drivers are acquainted with Turkish ceramics artist Ekrem Yazici, who has lived in the city for over 10 years.

Having witnessed the tremendous changes that have taken place in Jingdezhen over the last decade, Ekrem now enjoys his fruitful life in the city.

Ten years on, Ekrem has obtained a master's degree in ceramics design from the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, as well as precious experience in traditional ceramics workshops and friendships with craftspeople.

"I have taken almost every taxi and visited every corner of the city," says Ekrem, who describes his life in Jingdezhen as perfect.

He recalls his first trip to Jingdezhen in 2009. There was only one flight linking Jingdezhen with Shanghai and he could only travel by car, which was difficult for a foreigner at the time.

"Now by high speed railway, I can travel wherever I want, which is really impressive," says Ekrem.

Ekrem's first trip to Jingdezhen lasted six days－long enough for him to visit traditional workshops and modern universities. He made the decision to stay.

"Some people walked with porcelain, while others carried porcelain items on their shoulders," he says. "This place was like heaven for lovers of ceramics."

In 2010, Ekrem made the move to Jingdezhen, rented a house and a studio, and began his postgraduate studies.

"Even though you live in the capital of porcelain, it does not mean porcelain can claim 99 percent of your life," he says. "You cannot eat porcelain."

He says that he enjoys eating different things, drinking a little to relax and to go out and have fun at weekends, which was beyond his imagination years ago.

"Once, I could only drink baijiu (a Chinese liquor) at a friend's studio. Now I can drink coffee and wine, eat pizza and find anything I want and need here," says Ekrem.

Over the past 10 years, the city has undergone changes that have made it a totally different place－larger and much cleaner, he adds. More restaurants, playgrounds and cinemas have emerged in the city, entertaining residents and visitors, he says.

In addition to lifestyle changes, a more profound transformation has taken place in the city's ceramics culture and industry.

Jingdezhen's ceramics industry dates back over 2,000 years. Its role as a royal kiln pushed its porcelain-making techniques to the highest level.

However, with the end of China's imperial age, Jingdezhen faded from prominence. That is, until a few decades ago, when the city reshaped its image and turned the tide of decline.

"Jingdezhen's ceramics design was once very traditional. People were not concerned with porcelain, but regarded ceramics as daily necessities like tableware or furniture," Ekrem recalls.

Combining innovation with the conservation of tradition, Jingdezhen now attracts more visitors from both home and abroad.

Moreover, China's prosperity means people are more willing to spend money and time in Jingdezhen, which results in more designers paying attention to porcelain.

"They make fresh ideas happen in the city. Porcelain can be made in any color you want instead of just the traditional blue and white. If you have an idea in porcelain design, you can realize it in Jingdezhen," says Ekrem.

Now, a greater number of ceramics from Jingdezhen are appearing on shelves in other countries.

And alongside its economic development and expanded exports, Jingdezhen is gradually gaining international exposure for its products and culture, and is attracting swathes of artists and tourists.

Xinhua