Interview by William Chan
The art of Jingdezhen porcelain is being hosted at Wynn Palace at an exhibition titled “Hello China, Hello Macao - The Odyssey of Jingdezhen Porcelain: A Heritage Voyage from Macao to the World”, including Zhang Xizhi’s porcelain series, who told the Post about her “The Resonance of ‘Post-Porcelains’” exhibition earlier this month at the integrated resort.
The exhibition features over thirty top-tier and nationally recognised ceramic masters from the Chinese mainland, showcasing both the legacy and innovations of Jingdezhen porcelain artistry.* In addition, it highlights works by several outstanding local artists.
Among the contributors is Zhang Xizhi, an associate professor and doctoral supervisor at the Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), where she also leads the ceramic art laboratory. Her works have been exhibited both domestically and internationally, with many in prominent collections. The pieces she presents in this exhibition have been included in the 2024 Young Talented Artists Project by the China National Arts Fund.
‘Star and the Sea’
The “Star and the Sea” series is one of Zhang’s most notable collections, inspired by the celestial universe. She noted that her concept is based on porcelain discs, carefully crafted to reflect the natural pores and textures of ceramic clay, which resemble cosmic bodies. “The glaze variations on the discs follow the interplay of light and darkness in the cosmos, reflecting the vastness of space and the swirling layers of nebulae, adorned with twinkling stars. Through a rich ceramic painting language, my pieces evoke depth, layered imagery, and an expansive spatial imagination, inviting viewers to gaze at the stars.”
Building upon the “Star and the Sea” series, Zhang Xizhi has created two new collections for the exhibition: “Super Ceramic Era” and “NO.1 and Objects”. These series are inspired by the launch of the “Macau Science 1” satellite**, a significant milestone in Macau’s technological development. Zhang integrates AI technology and new experimental glazes to push the boundaries of traditional ceramics, exploring the intersection of technology and ceramic art.
‘NO.1 and Objects’
The “NO.1 and Objects” series features astronaut figures that symbolise “China’s Aerospace” and “Macau’s innovation”. The astronauts’ visors, fired at high temperatures, achieve a texture reminiscent of titanium alloy. Their arm badges display both China’s national flag and Macau’s regional flag, celebrating the nation’s achievements in deep space exploration. Planetary-inspired forms, crafted using traditional ceramic firing techniques, represent Macau as both a “cultural vessel” preserving history and a “future carrier” advancing space exploration.
The “Super Ceramic Era” series marks Zhang’s bold attempt to redefine the future of ceramic art. By incorporating AI technology into her creative process, each piece in this collection becomes an innovative experiment, symbolising the advent of a “post-ceramic” era.
“This collection employs advanced techniques such as electrodeposition, metallic glazes, and experimental reduction glazes, breaking away from traditional ceramic structures. The resulting works exhibit titanium alloy-like lustres and textures reminiscent of planetary rock layers, expanding the visual and physical boundaries of ceramics.”
The “Macau Science 1” satellite’s mission to observe the Earth’s magnetic field is also reflected in Zhang’s work. She describes her intent to visualise this invisible scientific phenomenon: “I do aim to use the language of ceramics to materialise the abstract concept of the Earth’s magnetic field. The flow and variation of glazes in my pieces reflect the unpredictable nature of the magnetic field.”
When discussing her creative process, Zhang noted that inspiration often arises from a blend of past experiences and imagination. “It might stem from images I’ve seen before, personal experiences, or even dreams. Through my own artistic language, I transform these inspirations into creations. This particular series draws from the landscapes of Earth, blending mountain and ocean elements with technological motifs. Using gold as the primary tone, I combined diverse materials to retain the essence of ceramics while imbuing them with a strong metallic and modern feel.”
She concluded that the exhibition not only highlights the legacy and innovation of Jingdezhen porcelain artistry but also exemplifies Macau’s role as a new cultural hub. “Macau has and always will serve as both a reflection on the past and an inspiration for the future,” she said.
The free-admission exhibition runs through November 2, and one can visit it from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.
*https://macaupostdaily.com/news/25495
**Macao Science 1 is the first space science satellite programme jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macau. It was launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in May 2023. The project is also the first scientific exploration satellite placed in a near-equatorial orbit to monitor the geomagnetic field and the space environment of the near-equator South Atlantic Anomaly. – Source: China National Space Administration (CNSA)
Zhang Xizhi (left) and Macao Foundation (FM) President Wu Zhiliang pose at the exhibition at Wynn Palace resort in July. – Photos provided by Zhang
Zhang Xizhi (left) and guests, including Macau Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man (centre, front), attends the opening ceremony of “The Odyssey of Jingdezhen Porcelain” in July at Wynn Palace in Cotai.
