FOR over a millennium, the kiln fires of Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, have burned non-stop.
An ancient local saying captures the enduring legacy of this porcelain capital: “Craftsmen come from all directions, and vessels go to the world.”
Today, this historic city is witnessing a modern resurgence of that spirit. A growing number of people are flocking there to pursue their dreams.
While they refer to themselves as Jingpiao, or Jingdezhen drifters, locals and observers increasingly view them as “makers”.
From young graduates starting with humble market stalls to veteran artisans pushing the boundaries of tradition, and international artists seeking cross-cultural inspiration, Jingdezhen has become a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship.
As the Spring Festival approached, the public kilns were bustling with activity.
Hu Yiming, a young ceramic artist, was busy glazing his works before firing.
Like many others, he was rushing to stock up on products to sell at the holiday markets.
The owner of the public kiln was so busy he barely had time to rest, leaving the task of loading the kiln to the artists themselves.
The atmosphere was filled with a mix of anticipation and urgency, as heat from the kilns mirrored the burning ambition of these young creators.
Hu, who graduated from university more than two years ago, recalls that this facility was recommended by senior students during his college days.
In Xianghu village, home to Jingdezhen Ceramic University, workshops related to porcelain making are ubiquitous.
The area boasts a complete handicraft system – from mud preparation and moulding, to glazing and firing – allowing even a novice to transform an abstract idea into a tangible porcelain product.
This accessible ecosystem is the fertile soil that allows dreams to take root quickly.
Hu now has his own studio in the village: three rooms occupied only by himself and a cat named Xiaobai. However, his path to independence was not without resistance.
Upon his graduation, his parents strongly urged him to return to his hometown in Hefei, Anhui province, to take a stable job as a welder in a state-owned enterprise.
“I resisted very strongly,” Hu said. “I told them to give me two or three months to try my luck in Jingdezhen.”
In his second month as a “drifter”, Hu discovered Taoxichuan, a creative landmark built on the site of renovated old factories.
Now a pilgrimage site for ceramic lovers worldwide, Taoxichuan serves as an incubation platform where young people can “level up” their careers.
Every weekend, the venue hosts a three-day market.
Young entrepreneurs can apply for a booth, and if selected, they receive subsidies, free tents, tables, chairs, and even assistance with warehousing and logistics.
As night falls, the market transforms into a dazzling spectacle. Under the warm glow of streetlights, rows of stalls display an array of unique ceramic pieces.
The air is filled with the chatter of young creators sharing their design concepts with curious visitors.
This vibrant atmosphere is not just about commerce; it is a cultural salon where ideas comingle.
Today, more than 32,000 young people like Hu have gathered around Taoxichuan to start businesses, generating employment for nearly 150,000 people.
Statistics show that Jingdezhen has maintained a net inflow of population over the past 12 years.
Currently, the number of people “drifting” and starting businesses in the city exceeds 80,000.
Among them is Chen Saijie, a graduate of the sculpture department at Jingdezhen Ceramic University.
His studio is located in a small, abandoned factory building.
Though compact, it is fully equipped. His team includes staff members for moulding and painting, while Chen and his wife handle the main sculpture work.
Chen’s entrepreneurial journey was initially rocky, and he once faced significant debt.
The turning point came with the birth of his son, Genggeng. Inspired by his child, Chen created a porcelain sculpture series titled “Super Baby Gift Box”.
“The most direct impression is that business got better,” Chen said. “The series we made became very popular.
“Genggeng is perhaps the best gift heaven has given us.”
Today, Chen runs a shop in Yi Space and attends weekend markets, finding a stable and fulfilling life in the city.
His story reflects how life’s personal milestones often intertwine with artistic breakthroughs, grounding the drifting soul in the warmth of family and success.
The local government is actively supporting this growing community. In Sanbao village, located in “Porcelain Valley”, the “Jingpiao Home” has become a hub for service and support.
“We are very willing to solve problems for everyone, ranging from daily trivialities to long-term life planning,” said Zhang Chen, vice-chairman of the Jingdezhen Federation of Literary and Art Circles.
The centre provides services ranging from experience sharing and exhibition curation to professional title applications and skills training.
In Jingdezhen, the word “maker” implies not just entrepreneurship, but innovation.
Fifteen years ago, Wen Xiang, then 55, arrived in Jingdezhen.
A former television variety show director, he was a “cross-over” outsider who set a bold goal: to challenge the most difficult field of traditional porcelain making – underglaze colour.
“Jingdezhen traditionally only had blue and white and underglaze red,” Wen explained.
“I asked myself, why not strive to create an underglaze splash colour? Only by taking this path can we break the mould of traditional arts and crafts.”
The difficulty of firing underglaze five-colour porcelain exceeded imagination.
It required adjusting and improving the millennium-old fixed formulas of traditional craftsmanship.
Over 15 years, Wen conducted more than 3,000 trial firings, scrapping over a dozen kilns in the process.
After stabilising the kiln temperature, he collaborated with a research team from Central South University to adjust the formulas of the body and glaze using rare earth materials.
Wen is not alone.
In universities and research institutes, new crafts and materials are constantly emerging.
Meanwhile, the city has attracted over 5,000 foreign Jingpiao.
Like migratory birds crossing mountains and seas, these international artists bring diverse creativity, ranging from traditional handicrafts to cutting-edge 3D printing.
Jingdezhen has embraced them with open arms.
In this city, there is no “lying flat” – only dedicated makers bowing to their craft.
This inclusiveness is the secret to the city’s everlasting vitality.
Whether they are local graduates or artists from thousands of miles away, they all share a common language spoken through clay and fire.
With culture knowing no boundaries and creativity irrespective of nationality, the ancient porcelain capital continues to reinvent itself through the fusion of global talent. — China Daily/ANN
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