Ceramics

China is the hometown of porcelain and ceramics, dating back over ten thousand years ago. Porcelain once opened the door of China to the world for pioneers. Traditional ceramics and porcelain are valued all over the world, extensive and profound, and widely praised. Chinese ceramics influenced ceramics in Japan, Europe, the Middle East and more, and many Chinese national master ceramic artists are still keeping the traditions alive by experimenting and going beyond their predecessors (oftentimes generations of their own families) through persistent and innovative hard work by recapturing the old glory (e.g., Ru Porcelain in the Song Dynasty, 960-1279) or creating new inventions through combining traditional and contemporary techniques, craftsmanship and ways to handle materials. 

During recent years, many Chinese ceramic artists have travelled to the U.S. to learn about the contemporary elements and styles from the West. As the art exchange result between the two cultures, PVCC has built a permanent Chinese ceramics collection over the years, which showcases the beauty and artistry of Chinese ceramic making.  Some of it is located in the Q-building hallway, some can be viewed in the E-building hallway and the rest can be viewed virtually.

Paradise Valley Community College’s Permanent Ceramics Collection

In the spring of 2017, an exhibition of exquisite and unique ceramics, representing 33 master artists from China, took place at the ASU Ceramic Research Institute.  Coordinated by artist Xiaoping Luo and made possible by the China Industrial Ceramics Association (CCIA), which helps its member artists develop new markets and create opportunities for cultural exchange between east and west. PVCC’s involvement derives from the tour of China’s 9 Fine Arts Universities and Arts Academies in 2015 by PVCC Fine Art faculty David L. Bradley. 

The groundwork for this exhibition began in 2015, when Professor Bradley accompanied Xiaoping Luo to view the graduate exhibitions of China's class of 2015. This East meets West visit coincided with the institution's graduate student exhibitions and allowed Professor Bradley to document specific works and techniques to share with his ceramics classes here at PVCC.  Additionally, Luo Xiao Ping selected specific student works for an exhibition in Shanghai.

Since Professor Bradley made such strong connections with ceramics faculty at the various Chinese institutions, an opportunity to exhibit in the United States was offered and gratefully accepted.  With intensive preparation by a team from PVCC, on September 18, 2015, a group of Chinese ceramic artists came for a one-day exhibition and celebration held in the KSC100.  The artists accompanied their works and enjoyed meeting faculty, staff, students and community members.

On the heels of this successful collaboration with PVCC, Xiaoping Luo and David Bradley quickly decided their alliance opened the door for additional Chinese artists to visit the U.S. This larger exhibition would include a tour of sights culminating in an exhibit at a well-known museum venue.  This collaboration grew with the addition of Garth Johnson, curator of the ASU Ceramic Research Center in Tempe, and together dates were set and a catalog created for the Flowing Beyond Heaven and Earth Exhibit schedule for the spring of 2017.

After the exhibition closed, it traveled to West Virginia University for five months. The collection returned to ASU and was divided between ASU and PVCC in gratitude for the opportunity to exhibit work in the U.S.

Once the exhibit closed in Tempe, it travelled to West Virginia University for several months.  This unique and inspiring collection returned to ASU with pieces divided and housed at both ASU and PVCC respectively.  Upon reflection, this enriching experience touched both artist and art appreciator, student and teacher, novice and master alike leaving a lasting legacy where East meets West.

View a photo gallery of the PVCC Permanent Chinese Master Ceramic Collection