I just returned from a two-week workshop/symposium in Zibo, China. It has been over 6 years since I visited China due to COVID and travel disruptions. I was great to be back in the ceramic city of Zibo where I have worked 10 times in the past 20 years. This time it was the International Macsabal Woodfire Festival held in the ceramic village of Zhujianzhuang in Zibo City.
Nearly 20 foreign artists and 30 Chinese ceramicists created work that was then fired in a 3-chamber climbing (dragon) kiln. We worked in a large well-equipped studio, enjoyed eating fine Chinese cuisine, including several banquets. There is always time to visit museums, local artists’ studios, shopping and partying. The works we brought from our home studios were donated to the new Zhujianzhuang Art Museum that is under construction at the Zhujianzhuang Ceramic Arts Research and Learning Center.
Zibo has a long history of ceramics, dating back more than 8,000 years. The area is known for early porcelain work, fine porcelain dinnerware sets, and large vases and sculptures. The China Ceramics and Glass Museum (formerly the Zibo Ceramics Museum) holds perhaps the largest collection of ceramics in China. We visited large ceramics showrooms and factories that supply the world.
Every time I participate in these events I am inspired by new shapes and techniques. Old friendships are renewed and new ones made. It is always a challenge to work with unfamiliar clays, glazes and even wheels, but we succeed. This time I discovered using silicon carbide (SiC) in underglazes for texturing effects. I have been experimenting with SiC in cone 6 fire glazes. Now I have a new challenge.
These trips have often result in foreign artists staying and working in my home and studio for several weeks including sightseeing. Over the years we have enjoyed more than 20 artists from 6 countries visiting. We hope to continue this USA exchange.