Guangdong Inlaid
Porcelain Art

Artforms > Guangdong Inlaid Porcelain Art

Originating in Chaozhou, inlaid porcelain art is a contemporary practice that combines traditional craftsmanship with a cultural preservation approach. By taking broken porcelain pieces, such as plates and bowls, these artists craft creative and detailed ceramic sculptures – bringing back to life forgotten and beautiful objects.

The practice of porcelain art is meticulous and labour-intensive, forcing the artist to carefully select, cut and arrange the ceramic pieces to create ingenious and harmonious compositions. Such a process demands a steady hand and an ability to see artistic potential amongst discarded porcelain pieces. There is no one specific inlaid porcelain style, as each artisan adopts their own creative and contemporary approach. However, most works often depict traditional Chinese motifs and symbols, reflective of the cultural heritage of Chaozhou.

 San-Huo Chen, Dragon, crafted from recycled oyster shells, porcelain bowls, plates and other ceramics.

Inlaid porcelain art is particularly inventive in its embrace of sustainability and environmental conservation, as well as its connection to traditional craftsmanship and contemporary art practices. Zeng Zhenyue is one such contemporary artisan embracing the practice of inlaid porcelain design, particularly the Teochew technique of embedding porcelain into architectural reliefs. Zeng Zhenyue incorporates the traditional roots of the porcelain objects he uses, whilst implementing them into modern design, creating vibrant and inventive pieces.