Modeling in stoneware clay, Shewan (1958)

Modeling in stoneware clay, Shewan (1958)

An important and valuable part of my student learning came from visiting ceramic factories in Shewan, Jigdezhen, Tahua in the South and Than Shan in the North of China.

Four historical figures made by Shewan’s master

Four historical figures made by Shewan’s master

There I observed the ceramics landscape, masters at work and listened to their teaching. At the same time, I exercised in techniques learned.

I spent two months in Shewan, near Guangdong, a famous ceramic center for artistic stoneware, well known for a tradition of expressive, historical, cultural, famous figures of modeled glazed stoneware, used along some natural colored unglazed stoneware clay.

 Lady in love ( exercise) 1958

Lady in love ( exercise) 1958

I was fortunate to work alongside a locally born famous artist, considered a national treasure, who defined, refined and develop further the local artistic tradition of Shewan.

Monk (exercise) Shewan

Monk (exercise) Shewan

I was told that talent of his magnitude appears locally once in 500 years.

To develop further this particular valuable artistic tradition, a research center with all facilities was built there, and we (my Polish colleague and me) were housed and worked there.