| The people making ceramics were considered as "artisans" (gongjiang) in traditional China. Classifying ceramics as an "art" (meishu) and potters as "artists", was a new development in the twentieth century. This thesis examines this process by comparing the experience of artisans from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, in which the imperial kilns (yuyao) were located, and from Shiwan, Guangdong province, where only civilian kilns (minyao) were found.;This thesis argues their different historical background led to the differences in their different experience. The reputation of Jingdezhen's world famous "imperial kilns" lasted into the twentieth century, and so, as Jingdezhen was subject to industrial development and technological upgrading, Jingdezhen's craftsmen came from the new technical schools which were founded to revive the ceramic industry. In Shiwan, by contrast, apprenticeship to reputable craftsmen continued to serve as artistic credential, and was made use of by patrons, commentators and publicists in promoting Shiwan's artistic tradition. |
