Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jing Huang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jing, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

My journey in ceramics began in Jingdezhen, known in China as the “porcelain city” since the Song Dynasty. Studying there for four years, I naturally fell in love with clay in that atmosphere.

My learning process is very long, shifting and traveling in different places. My art practice is bound tightly with my personal value of lifelong learning, and I never consider my learning process ‘end’ since ceramic is a material that changes through time and place. I think the most essential skill is that you need always to be open to change, and be able to adjust while working with this sensitive material. There are so many factors out of your control – clay adjusts and responds each time you touch it and you may or may not like it; the glaze and firing process is almost impossible to fully control by the artist. These experiences can sometimes be frustrating and are considered an obstacle for many people in the way of learning more, including me. However, when you think about it in another way, more possibilities, creativities, and imagination can engaged by itself in the making process.

Jing, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I was born and raised in a small mountainous city called Guilin (桂林) in southern China. My hometown is a tourist city and famous for its breathtaking landscape and scenery. I know I have had a passion for art since childhood. My parents sent me to study Chinese traditional ink painting and calligraphy from the age of three, and this experience became my first memory of art. Even though I have lost most of these conscious memories, this experience sets an invisible logic in my work today.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute in China. Jingdezhen is a city that has a deep connection with porcelain. Studying there for four years helped me gain many skills rooted in an understanding of Chinese traditions in ceramics, such as the strict requirements of techniques, subtle aesthetics and a high respect for tradition and history. In 2013, I brought my art practice abroad to Canada to study at Sheridan College; and later to the US to pursue my master’s degree at Alfred University.

I’m currently working as a full-time ceramic artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. My abstract ceramic sculpture explores unknown scenery in the liminal space between my ‘past’ and ‘present.’ Through multiple layering of ceramic materials, assembling, and firing my work in unconventional, unpredictable ways, my forms reflect the flow of landscape and atmosphere in changing environments, embodying the nature of my diasporic experience.

My work is rooted in my culture and Chinese heritage but developed under the influence of being caught in the spaces among different surroundings, languages, and cultures. I draw inspiration from the landscape of my hometown of Guilin, the scholar’s rock in my culture, and my early experiences practicing traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy. Instead of the linear way of making a sculpture from a sketch, design, or prototype, I handbuild my work part by part without a blueprint, and assemble them together once I have plenty of components. For a sculpture that needs to stand upright, it is my intention to build it horizontally from the beginning to achieve an unknown structure.

I actively lectured, curated exhibitions, conducted workshops, and exhibited extensively throughout the United States, Canada, China and the UK. Recently, I have received Emerging Artist Fellowships from NCECA, and Emerging Artist from Ceramics Monthly Magazine. My work is included in private and public collections including the permanent collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum (London, UK), Alfred Ceramic Art Museum (Alfred, NY, US), Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections Museum (Manchester, UK) and Durham University Oriental Museum (Durham, UK).

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The most direct way to support artists is to buy their artwork. This way allows artists to build up a healthy and sustainable system to continue creating their artwork and developing their careers. Going to their exhibitions and sales, following them on social media, or simply letting them know that you love their work and share it with others is also very helpful!

I think another important thing is to appreciate and respect art in our daily lives. A mug handmade by a ceramic artist, a picture designed by a graphic designer, etc. – art can be everywhere in our lives, and it’s important to remember it brings value to our society. Taking time to join art classes or visiting museums can draw more connections between artists and the public, and further create a more supportive and dynamic community for all of us.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Use hashtags, engage with other people, interact with your followers, and most importantly, don’t be shy to share!

When I was in graduate school, I had a difficult time sharing my work on social media – my work was very experimental at that time, and I was not sure if they were ready to share yet. I remember my classmate took a photo of me working in the process, posted it on his social media, and then tagged me. I felt embarrassed at first, but all the comments on that post said they really enjoyed seeing the making process and wanted to know more stories behind the artwork. I learned from that and now keep my pace to post on my social media.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jinghuangceramics.com
• Instagram: jing_ceramics