On May 27, the Confucius Institute at Oxford Brookes University, in partnership with Jingdezhen Ceramic University, inaugurated the Tang Ying Ceramic Studio—a dedicated center for ceramic arts and cultural exchange. The launch event featured a hands-on blue-and-white porcelain workshop that drew over 30 ceramic enthusiasts from Oxford and the surrounding region.
The workshop began with an expert lecture from Dr. Wang Wei, Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, and Professor Hou Tiejun, Dean of the School of International Cultural Communication. The speakers detailed the historical development and cultural significance of blue-and-white porcelain and demonstrated the traditional techniques integral to the craft: fine-line brush work, pigment distribution, layering, and the signature technique known as “five tones of ink.”
Participants then engaged in hands-on creation, working under expert guidance to paint designs onto porcelain blanks using traditional materials sourced directly from Jingdezhen. The experience offered attendees a rare opportunity to engage directly with the artisanal methods that have defined Jingdezhen’s ceramics for centuries.
The Tang Ying Ceramic Studio represents Jingdezhen Ceramic University’s broader initiative to establish overseas centers dedicated to promoting Chinese ceramic traditions. Through exhibitions, demonstrations, and immersive experiences such as this workshop, the studio aims to deepen international understanding of Chinese ceramic heritage and foster cultural dialogue between East and West.
