Tongji University Museum Hosts Dehua Porcelain Art Exhibition

With the clothes on the sculptures shimmering in the bright lights, as thin as a cicada's wings, the delicate and lifelike details might cause you to mistakenly believe these models are made of yarn and silk. Yet, you will be surprised that this is in fact a reflection of one of the highest works of porcelain art, more famously known as Dehua Porcelain.

Dehua Porcelain, also known as Blanc de Chine (French for 'White from China'), is a type of white Chinese porcelain made in Dehua, southwest China's Fujian Province, since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This form of traditional art and sculpting has lasted over 500 years and today, we can appreciate it right here in Shanghai at the Blanc de Chine Dehua Porcelain Art Masterpieces Exhibition being held at the Tongji University Museum.

Themed around Dehua porcelain art and its growth in the region, the exhibition will highlight the roots of Dehua porcelain, breakthroughs in the crafts and how it has evolved over the course of over 500 years. Also, the cultural journey and implications Dehua porcelain has experienced in the vicissitudes of the sands of time, and of course its current state in modern contemporary art, with objects and installation arts aplenty to provide visitors with a greater understanding of one of China's niche traditional art forms in today's context.

The exhibition will showcase signature pieces by Lian Deli, a master craftsman who employs traditional Dehua porcelain craftsmanship to create artworks inspired by Jackie Chan's blockbuster "The Myth." With the careful carvings on the hairs and the fine, veil-like thinness of the clothing, the level of detail will leave visitors in awe and appreciation of these works that seem to come alive.

If you go

Date: Through Early September, 8:30am-4:30pm

Venue: Tongji University Museum 同济大学博物馆

Address: 1239 Siping Road 四平路1239号

Notes for interested parties: Visitors can enter the university by showing their passports.