When people think of art it is often the emotions that leave the strongest impression. Yet, art also has the remarkable ability to bring people together across boundaries. Art encourages mutual understanding, respect, and acceptance, by connecting various cultural influences.
A powerful example of this is the work done by Philip Read, a Canadian artist who has spent more than 30 years living and working in Jingdezhen, China. During this time, he developed his art style and studied ways to blend his own technique with Chinese traditions.
He decided to visit the city because he was fascinated by its rich porcelain making traditions, and he was later asked to join Jingdezhen Ceramic University as a visiting scholar. In July 2025, he became the coordinator for the Yang Jingpiao volunteer team, which works with local officials and fellow international residents to help newcomers navigate visas and residency requirements, business regulations, language barriers and cultural differences.
Through this project, Read relies on his own experiences to help fellow artists settle into the community, while encouraging greater understanding between Chinese and international residents. His artwork, which features aspects of Chinese landscapes and traditional arts, also show his appreciation for Chinese culture. His work illustrates how art and personal experiences can unite people from many cultural backgrounds.
Read organises ceramic salons, cultural tours and collaborative projects that bring Chinese and international arts together. Through these activities, he uses art as a cultural exchange, allowing people from different backgrounds to share their knowledge, artistic traditions and perspectives. His work demonstrates how creative partnerships can promote mutual understanding, build relationships and bridge cultural differences.
Philip Read serves as an example of how art can create harmony between people. He shows that sharing experiences and learning from one another are just as important as overcoming language barriers.
Bronnen:
Building bridges in porcelain: how one artist is welcoming the world to Jingdezhen – People’s Daily