Spanish potter settles in 'porcelain capital'

In the still of winter, the cherry trees in the courtyard have withered but the fruits continue to flourish in the porcelain work of Spanish ceramic artist Jaume Ribalta.

The 32-year-old artist, who has spent the past three years in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi province, China's "porcelain capital", draws inspiration from his surroundings to make pieces that blend nature with artistry.

Ribalta has settled in Xianghu village, a hub for ceramic artists in Jingdezhen, where he has a studio and now feels at home, immersed in the rhythms of rural life.

During the Spring Festival period, Ribalta's studio courtyard hums with festive energy as red lanterns sway among the greenery, festive paintings adorn doors, and traditional decorations like spring couplets and Chinese knots complete the scene in a joyful celebration of the season.

"Over the years, I've created a series of zodiac teacups, each featuring a different Chinese zodiac animal. Last year it was the dragon and this year it's the snake," he says. "I've grown to love this traditional cultural element and have continued to incorporate it into my work."

His studio is filled with Chinese elements — antique furniture, a portrait of Confucius and traditional ink landscape paintings — each detail reflecting Ribalta's deep appreciation for Chinese culture.

"I learned Chinese painting from books, with masters like Qi Baishi serving as my 'teachers'," he says. Beyond this, he has expertly fused his Spanish heritage with Chinese artistry, drawing inspiration from the black-and-white ceramic designs of his hometown Barcelona. He employs traditional Chinese blue-and-white porcelain techniques to make distinctive pieces that blend Chinese and Spanish styles.

Jingdezhen's history of ceramics spans over 2,000 years, and its role as an official royal kiln elevated its porcelain-making techniques to the highest level. Driven by a passion for ceramics, thousands of foreign artists have moved to Jingdezhen, a city with a population of less than 900,000, in recent years.

The open, inclusive and eclectic creative environment has allowed foreign drifters like Ribalta to quickly adapt to life despite initial language barriers. He sees Jingdezhen as heir to a vast cultural heritage where every corner is fertile ground for artistry.

In addition to the many studios nearby, Ribalta says another reason he was drawn to this particular village is its proximity to the Jingdezhen Ceramic University.

"Engaging in conversations with young ceramists and students and exploring how to blend tradition with innovation is key to keeping my inspiration alive," he says.

For Ribalta, Jingdezhen was the obvious choice. He says the city is like an "art utopia", with a heavily artistic atmosphere and a warm, free-spirited environment. However, creating individual ceramic pieces is not his sole ambition. He says that his goal for the new year is to make a cultural landmark for the village.

Pulling up his design concept on his phone, he explains how blue-and-white porcelain can expand beyond its traditional use in vessels and be repurposed to make striking wall decorations.

"In Spain and Portugal, ceramics are often used in architectural decoration," he says. "China has many exquisite, large blue-and-white porcelain vases, but their use in architectural settings is relatively rare. I hope to integrate ceramics into architecture in a public space someday, creating a monumental scene that blends the Chinese and Spanish cultures with my own hands."