In search of a creative home that marries history with innovation, ceramicist Priya Sundaravalli Sudharsan made the journey from India to the Chinese mainland’s Jingdezhen.
Drawn by legendary porcelain and the city’s lively streets, Priya immersed herself in local culture, sampling street foods from spicy rice cakes to flavorful noodles, fueling her inspiration day after day.
Working shoulder-to-shoulder with Jingdezhen’s master artisans, Priya taps into ancestral skills passed down through generations. In her words, there’s a rhythm to their craft that teaches patience, precision and a deep respect for materials.
For Priya, Jingdezhen is more than a destination—it’s a living archive. Every kiln, every clay shard, tells a story of centuries-long traditions. By blending her Indian heritage with these techniques, she’s sculpting a new chapter in global ceramics.
Her studio, nestled among workshop-lined alleys, has become a cultural crossroads. Students from around the world join her workshops, learning to paint delicate motifs and master glazing techniques that once belonged only to local families.
As Priya balances future-forward design with age-old methods, she believes the secret to preserving Jingdezhen’s legacy is collaboration. She carries forward the past by sharing it, shaping vessels that bridge continents and generations.
In a world hungry for authentic connections, Priya’s story reminds us that art can be both a tribute and a translation—honoring tradition while forging new paths. In Jingdezhen, every pot, plate and sculpture is a testament to that enduring bond.
Reference(s):
Where heritage meets heart: An India ceramicist's story in Jingdezhen
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