In my works, I try to focus mainly on the firing techniques and conceptual designs, however, in this magnificent land with a history of ceramic art of over 1700 years, it is impossible not to be affected and even enchanted by Chinese culture and blue and white porcelain. Therefore, on my works in Jingdezhen, I left firing techniques aside and tried all kinds of porcelain clay, especially Jade clay in a 1300°C Gas Kiln. And of course, I planned a traditional production process based on experiencing blue and white porcelain, underglaze painting, carving, and handmade inscriptions.
During my 4-month international residency program in China- Jingdezhen Taoxichuan Art Center, you can see the intercultural interaction in my works: Combining second-hand materials purchased from the Jingdezhen antique market, using symbols such as the bamboo tree and the lotus flower, which are very important in Chinese art, poems written with the beauty of calligraphy, the meeting of glass art with the ceramic body and lastly, the existence of the signs from Year of the Dragon.
Working with ceramics is a tool for me to express my feelings and thoughts. I don’t intent to create an admirable classical work of art. As a contemporary ceramic artist, I like to use ceramics as a field of discourse and work on topics that will create social awareness. Beyond the pleasant, I choose a topic that the viewer will stop and think about for a moment, perhaps even confront, such as the place of women in society, worthlessness, the concept of homelessness and the phenomenon of migration, the cycle of life and the future of nature, and never-ending hope, sometimes thought-provoking and sometimes hopeful stories. Even in your darkest moments there is always a seed of hope.
Everyone knows Jingdezhen, the capital of ceramics, is the birthplace of blue and white porcelain the world-known history of China’s ceramic art… An incredible country, an amazing city. At the end of the unforgettable 4 months, I spent in a wonderful residency program among skilfull ceramic artists from all over the world. This is a dream-like experience in my ceramics career…That’s why the name of my exhibition is “Beyond the BLUE”.
Our routines in the rush of daily life, emotions that we don’t even realize and feelings we sometimes face. Emptiness within us, farewells, loneliness. But despite everything, the endless hope within a person… In other words, the voice of our troubles, the interpretation of our hopes… New stories that pass through the filter of life with the sensitivity of an artist and find their embodiment in a ceramic body.
Bamboos come to life in cobalt blue on porcelain that dazzles with its elegance. The meeting of the lotus flowers fascinates with its light permeability with the elegance of a woman. And Dragon’s call to women: “Always pursue a strong and uptrend life like the dragon. Face the challenges and inspire everyone”.
Sevinç Köseoğlu Ulubatlı, Jingdezhen- China, 2024
