French ceramic artist Camille Grandaty has been living in Jingdezhen, China, for nearly a decade. She would learn ceramic-making techniques with local masters and regularly meet with ceramic artists from around the world. Over the years, she established her own studio, developing a creative style that blends Eastern and Western artistic elements.

Despite her extensive practice and study, one might assume Camille fully understands the intricacies of Chinese ceramics. However, she admits to feeling a “distance” from the craft due to cultural differences. Fascinated by the origins of ancient Chinese ceramic-making techniques and the secrets behind Jingdezhen’s status as the world’s ceramic capital for over 1,000 years, Camille is eager to deepen her understanding of this remarkable tradition.

This summer, she joined the Path Seekers, together with Gong Liang, honorary director of the Nanjing Museum. They embarked on a journey along the ancient Kaolin Road, located about 50 kilometers east of Jingdezhen. Gong highlighted the historical significance of this seemingly modest route, which once served as a vital artery for transporting Kaolin clay-the key ingredient in porcelain production. The advanced “Binary Formulations Approach”, which involves mixing Kaolin clay with porcelain stone, played a pivotal role in Jingdezhen’s emergence as a global ceramic hub for over a millenniu.

 

Each step along the ancient road brought new insights. The team explored mining sites, historic streets, and ancient docks, as well as kilns, porcelain factories, and museums. At the museums, Camille discovered the profound cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations through the intricate designs of “export porcelain”. During a visit to a young ceramic artist’s studio, she admired how traditional craftsmanship seamlessly integrates with modern design concepts. Inspired by these experiences, Camille and Gong collaborated to create a blue-and-white porcelain bowl, which they named Yuanfen-a Chinese term meaning “destiny” or “special connection”.

Transporting Kaolin was just one step forward in refining raw materials. The dedication of craftsmen who spend their entire lives mastering a single craft-an inheritance of skill and spirit-is truly the soul of Chinese porcelain. Amid the bustling crowds of Taoxichuan at dusk, where history and modernity converge, Camille reflected on her journey. Through Path Seekers, she gained a deeper appreciation of the art form and the country she has called home for the past ten years.

Chief Producers: Yang Liqun, Shuang Chuanxue 

Chief Planners: Gu Leiming, Liu Wei

Line Producer: Fu Qing 

Chief Coordinator: Shen Zhengrong 

Coordinators: Bao Wenjun, Wang Naiyi 

Creators: Liu Liu, Chen Cheng, Zhu Na, Qian Yingying, Chen Yuwei, Wang Ruifeng 

Art Editor: Zhang Di