Zibo's ceramics shine on global stage

Zibo city in East China's Shandong province – renowned for its ceramics – took center stage as it hosted the 23rd China (Zibo) International Ceramics Exposition on Sept 9-12.

The prestigious event drew attention from a diverse group of attendees – including a delegation of expatriates hailing from such countries as Britain, Canada, the United States and Egypt – who explored the artistic wonders of Zibo on Sept 10.

The immersive cultural exploration provided the expats with insights not only into the local ceramics sector, but also the exquisite artistry from China's nine key ceramics and glaze-producing areas – as well as masterpieces from 12 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom and Russia.

The event included six sections, with over 1,500 enterprises, universities and master studios participating.

A notable addition was the consumer products pavilion, where Zibo-based enterprises showcased the city's rich cultural heritage in fashion, food, furniture and more, alongside ceramics and glazes.

Over the past two decades, the exposition has become an influential platform for the industry, promoting Chinese ceramics and facilitating cultural exchanges and industrial transformation.

In the ceramics hall, a groundbreaking moment unfolded as artificial intelligence was harnessed for the first time in a design by local firm Oulan Ceramics. Ceramic plates came to life with vibrant depictions of galloping horses, graceful forest deer and soaring cranes. Tang Chuanhu, the founder of Oulan Ceramics, lauded the innovative use of AI, emphasizing its pioneering impact nationwide.

Oulan Ceramics's venture into AI is widely said to promise to bring more creativity and color-matching solutions to the development of ceramics, offering endless possibilities for future designs.

Inside the glassware section, an exhibition area called Zibo Xiaoxiami Ceramic Art Creation garnered tremendous attention. Portraits such as the classic figure of Chinese heroine Mu Guiying were meticulously crafted, drawing crowds to observe, photograph and purchase items.

Wang Zhi, founder of the Xiaoxiami Ceramic Art Creation, revealed that all the artworks were created using soft clay, a new material that achieves a creative and lifelike effect.

"During our previous exhibition at the Shenzhen Cultural Expo, our Zibo barbeque soft clay gained significant popularity." Wang said.

Zibo was one of the early inventors of ceramics, dating back over 10,000 years to the early Neolithic Age. Its glaze culture also boasts a long history, dating back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220).