NANCHANG, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- For Canadian artist Philip Read, the eastern Chinese city of Jingdezhen is not just a place to work, but a muse that has held his heart for over 30 years.
On his first visit to Jingdezhen as a tourist, a local artisan skilled in blue-and-white porcelain invited him to paint bamboo motifs on a porcelain body. Since then, Read has been drawn to a new artistic direction after trying Chinese ink wash painting and porcelain panel painting.
But what truly won him over and kept him coming back is Jingdezhen's acceptance and the help he received from local friends.
"There are outstanding artisans and artists here, and their spirit is woven into the fabric of this city, making outsiders feel a genuine affinity for it," the 76-year-old artist added.
This sense of affinity and the city's craftsmanship underpin the growing goodwill that global artists, including Read, hold for Jingdezhen, China's "porcelain capital."
At peak times, the city draws more than 5,000 ceramic enthusiasts from foreign countries and regions.
Yet settling in an unfamiliar city was not always smooth for these international artists. They often struggled to understand the language and local policies.
Such hurdles, however, have been gradually removed, thanks to efforts from local authorities and volunteers, including foreign artists like Read.
Read led the effort to establish a foreign volunteer service team and became its captain. Over a year, the team has helped over 150 people.
"I find joy in artistic creation and feel warmth in helping others," said Read, adding that the kindness has done much to build trust and deepen goodwill for the city.
The local authorities have also offered help of various kinds to make artists enjoy their stay in the city.
As early as 2015, Jingdezhen launched the "Migratory Bird Program." The program has reached out to art institutions in more than 50 countries and regions, attracting 3,600 artists from around the world.
Jingdezhen registered 39.6 percent growth in inbound tourists last year.
Nestled in a hilly area of northeastern Jiangxi Province, Jingdezhen is endowed with abundant reserves of kaolin, or China clay, and other raw materials essential for porcelain production.
Today, with more than 60,000 ceramic studios, Jingdezhen has a comprehensive industrial chain that sustains over 100,000 workers.
Experts believe that the city's irreplaceable strength lies in its highly specialized industry, which frees outsiders from the need to be all-round craftsmen. This has won it favor among artists who value both tradition and practicality.
French visual artist Karima Duchamp experienced the city's craftsmanship firsthand. During her previous stay, she painted on clay bodies but struggled with the firing process.
In a local alley, she watched a craftsman seamlessly slide a multi-meter-long clay body into a kiln without a single flaw. This refined skill, honed over decades, won her trust instantly.
"The city makes it so easy for outsiders to fit in. Even if you come for just a week, you can already feel accepted," Duchamp told Xinhua, adding that the expertise of local kiln masters was crucial in realizing her creation.
The world has taken note. The Jingdezhen Handicraft Porcelain Industry Sites were added to UNESCO's World Heritage List last month, filling a long-standing gap in the list for porcelain heritage. It is China's 61st World Heritage site.
The growing interest in Jingdezhen is not an isolated phenomenon. It comes as international perceptions of the country are beginning to shift.
A July survey by the Pew Research Center found that a median of 46 percent of respondents across the 20 countries surveyed annually since 2023 held a favorable view of China, up from 32 percent in 2023.
Foreigners are actively embracing Chinese lifestyles as they gain more firsthand experience of the country and move from simply observing to actually participating.
"This will attract more people from all over the world to Jingdezhen because the culture and ceramic heritage here have a special charm," said Read. ■
