More than 140 ceramic artists from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan gathered in Shanghai's Hongkou District for the opening of the ninth "Compassion Through Ceramics" Cross-Strait Ceramic Art and Culture Exchange, an event designed to strengthen cultural exchanges and promote shared Chinese artistic heritage through ceramic art.
Held at Xiahai Temple, the event features exhibitions, an opening ceremony and academic forums, bringing together leading ceramic artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Organizers said the program uses ceramics as a cultural bridge to celebrate shared traditions, encourage artistic innovation and foster closer people-to-people exchanges.
Launched in 2014, the "Compassion Through Ceramics" program has grown into one of Shanghai's largest, longest-running and most influential cross-Strait ceramic exchange events.
Organizers said the initiative has consistently promoted the concepts of preserving Chinese cultural heritage through ceramics and fostering goodwill through cultural exchange, allowing artists from both sides of the Strait to build friendships through their work.
This year's event marks its largest participation to date, attracting more than 140 ceramic artists, including 54 artists from Taiwan who traveled to Shanghai.
The lineup includes veteran masters, prominent scholars and emerging young artists. Participating artists also donated selected works to Xiahai Temple's permanent collection.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Fang Jiansen, vice chairman of the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association, said Shanghai's openness, innovation and inclusiveness make it an ideal platform for cultural exchange.
He described culture as a "golden key" that connects people's hearts and an important force in promoting peaceful cross-Strait relations.
He said the event would continue to serve its mission of preserving traditional Chinese culture and strengthening ties across the Strait, while the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association would continue providing platforms and support for exchanges between people on both sides.
Hongkou District CPPCC Chairwoman Shi Baozhen welcomed the participating artists and said Hongkou has long embraced the concept that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one family. The district has promoted cultural exchanges by drawing on its rich historical and cultural heritage, she said.
Shi highlighted Hongkou's diverse cultural resources, including Duolun Road's literary heritage, the revitalized INLET cultural district, the open and international atmosphere of the North Bund, the folk traditions preserved at Xiahai Temple, as well as numerous items of intangible cultural heritage and century-old museums.
Together, she said, these resources provide fertile ground for preserving and innovating traditional ceramic art.
The event emphasizes the close cultural connection between the Chinese words for "ceramics" and "compassion," which share the same pronunciation.
Organizers said the program integrates the craftsmanship represented by ceramics, the spirit of compassion, Hongkou's cultural vitality and Shanghai's openness.
Artists from both sides of the Taiwan Strait are using ceramic art as a medium for dialogue while drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese culture.
By combining Shanghai-style artistic influences with Taiwan's craftsmanship, participants aim to preserve classical ceramic techniques while exploring new forms of artistic expression.
A series of academic forums was also held. The discussions brought together artists, scholars and practitioners to create a platform integrating artistic creation, research, innovation and cultural preservation.
During sessions focusing on craftsmanship and ceramic art, scholars examined topics including the application of artificial intelligence in glaze research, the aesthetics of traditional Eastern porcelain, emotional expression in contemporary ceramic art and the cultural significance of ceramic objects.
Intangible cultural heritage inheritors shared their experiences preserving and revitalizing traditional porcelain-making techniques, while rural ceramic practitioners discussed how ceramic art has contributed to rural revitalization.
Artists also explored contemporary interpretations of traditional techniques such as marbled clay, carved celadon and porcelain sculpture.
Participants said the event would serve as a new starting point for deepening research into ceramic culture, expanding artistic cooperation across the Taiwan Strait and ensuring that traditional Chinese ceramic culture continues to be preserved and passed on through cultural exchanges.