Ceramic paradise in Jingdezhen

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Working in the Sanbao International Ceramic Art Village in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Wisam Al-Samad, an Iraqi-born, Norway-based artist from the International Academy of Ceramics, is one of thousands of foreign artists who have become known as "foreign Jingdezhen drifters" (yang jing piao).

During his first visit to China, he moved to the village with his daughter Zahra to begin an artistic residency.

After one and a half months of painstaking work, he finished his ceramic mural Love — The End of the World. Made up of 45 ceramic panels symbolizing love and passion, the artwork blends elements of ancient Mesopotamian civilization, Norway's aurora-lit landscapes and Jingdezhen's local clay and time-honored kiln techniques. Using ceramics as a bridge and universal love as its language, the piece crosses divides of nationality, religion and culture.

Away from urban noise, Sanbao village provides the artist with a quiet creative space and abundant resources, alongside a simple, warm rural life.

When working, Al-Samad focuses on throwing clay, tending kilns and polishing artworks. In his free time, he wanders through tea gardens, admires antique pottery and enjoys pastoral moments with Zahra. Immersed in Chinese tea culture and countryside charm, the father and daughter are crafting a touching story of cross-cultural artistic connection in China's renowned "porcelain capital".

CHINA DAILY

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