Lecture shines spotlight on celadon culture

Craftsman Shi Zhen introduces Yue kiln celadon works during a lecture held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China on Nov 3. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A lecture on Yue kiln celadon was held at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Nov 3. Craftsman Shi Zhen introduced celadon culture to audiences both online and on-site.

Yue kiln celadon is a rare variety of ancient celadon whose production techniques were lost more than 1,000 years ago. In 1987, 13 pieces of mise (literally, "secret-color") celadon, the finest of Yue kiln celadon, were found in an underground palace at Famen Temple in Shaanxi province.

Shi has been dedicated to reproducing mise celadon for many years and managed to replicate a set of plates and a bottle unearthed at Famen Temple.

During the lecture, Shi talked about the history and processes of Yue kiln celadon and shared stories about creating innovative celadon works.

Shi has spent 30 years making the traditional artworks, and Yue kiln celadon is her life’s pursuit.

"Though I'm 50 years old and my hair has become grey, I feel that I am still a child who enjoys pursuing celadon art," she said, "What I am doing is connecting traditional Yue kiln celadon with this new era, increasing its artistic value, and promoting it to more people."

The lecture was also livestreamed on Zoom and YouTube and attracted audiences from around the world. Vincent Lemarchand, president of the Rouen-Ningbo Friendship Committee, was one of them. He invited Shi to promote celadon culture in France.

"She was great," said Lemarchand, "There is a ceramics museum in Rouen. We hope she can bring celadon works and hold an exhibition here.”

The lecture was part of an event that local authorities launched to promote traditional Chinese culture. A series of online and on-site lectures will be held to encourage people from around the world to learn about Ningbo through its intangible cultural heritage items.