December 1, 2025
During his residency in Jingdezhen, Darian Duan engaged in asubstantive professional exchange with a British artist who was concurrentlyundertaking ceramic work in the city. Their conversation emerged naturallywithin the shared studio environment, centering on their mutual interest inceramic materials and contemporary approaches to the medium. The discussionencompassed the structural characteristics of porcelain, the role of color andline, and the ways in which traditional techniques may be reinterpreted withina modern artistic context.
In this dialogue, Darian introduced his ongoing researchinto “continuous painting on porcelain” and elaborated on his conceptual andtechnical approach to knife painting on ceramic surfaces. He described thismethod as a way of reconstructing visual structure and extending narrativethrough direct intervention on the glaze surface, allowing porcelain to embodynew layers of visual and tactile expression while remaining rooted intraditional craftsmanship.
The British artist contributed perspectives drawn fromlong-term practice, offering insights into considerations of scale, proportion,and visual organization in ceramic work. The exchange was grounded not instylistic influence or technical instruction, but in a mutual and thoughtfulexamination of artistic intent. It allowed both artists to reassess theexpressive potential of porcelain from the vantage point of their distinctcultural and creative backgrounds.
For Darian, the encounter provided a valuable opportunity to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and to reflect more deeply on his own methodsthrough exposure to differing approaches to ceramic art.
Jingdezhen—renowned for its enduring ceramicheritage—continues to foster an environment of openness and diversity forartists from around the world. This exchange is emblematic of the city’scapacity to bring together varied artistic practices, demonstrating how porcelain can function not only as a medium of creation but also as a conduitfor meaningful artistic conversation.
