Interview: Culture exchanges a must in polarized world, says Dutch ceramics expert

By Xinhua writer Shao Haijun

THE HAGUE, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Recalling his more than ten visits to China since 2008, Dutch ceramic artist Pepijn van den Nieuwendijk said that his artistic practice and views on cultural exchange have been profoundly shaped by his experiences learning ceramics techniques in China.

"Cultural exchange is important because it helps us discover similarities and differences and learn from one another. It strengthens our own cultures through that learning. At a time when the world is so polarized, culture and art can really bring people together," the Dutch painter and ceramicist told Xinhua in an exclusive interview at the China Cultural Center in The Hague.

Nieuwendijk graduated in 1994 as a graphic designer from the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague. He once dreamed of becoming an archaeologist until a chance discovery drew him to Chinese porcelain. In the 1980s, many old buildings in his hometown of Woerden, near The Hague, were demolished, exposing archaeological sites dating back to Roman times. As a child who loved digging for hidden treasures, he one day discovered fragments of blue-and-white porcelain -- a discovery that tied his future to China.

"I discovered an old waste pit filled with pottery shards and, to my surprise, beautiful fragments of Qing-dynasty Chinese porcelain," he said. "That sparked my interest in porcelain and in distant China."

During the interview, he even showed the reporter the fragments and asked about the meaning of the Chinese characters at the bottom of one plate.

His fascination with China grew after high school history lessons. "I've always been interested in Asia, especially China. Its history is so rich and stretches back so far," he said.

His dream of visiting China came true in 2008, when he and seven other Dutch ceramic artists were invited to work in Fule International Ceramic Art Museums in Fuping, Shaanxi Province. It was his first trip outside Europe -- an experience he described as life-changing. He was captivated by China's culture, landscapes, history, people, and food. Since then, he has visited China more than ten times, traveling to cities including Chongqing, Chengdu, and Dongguan.

As a ceramic artist, he was naturally drawn to Jingdezhen, known as China's "Porcelain Capital," which has produced fine ceramics for over a thousand years. He worked in Jingdezhen Sanbao Ceramic Art Institute as a resident artist in 2010, an experience that deepened his understanding of Chinese ceramic traditions. "I had already painted in blue and white in the Netherlands, but in Jingdezhen I learned true qinghua painting," he said.

Dutch blue and white is called Delftware or Delft Blue, originated from Chinese influence. According to the Royal Delft Museum, the style traces back to the 16th century, when Chinese blue-and-white porcelain captured from Portuguese ships reached the Netherlands. After the Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602, demand surged, prompting Dutch potters to create their own versions.

"I've really improved my style by learning from Chinese ways of thinking," Nieuwendijk said. "I actually use only Chinese brushes in my work. They're so fine and hold ink for a long time, almost like calligraphy."

Beyond ceramics techniques, he also picked up some Chinese language and learned how Chinese people work and interact. "That's culture," he said.

This year, he was invited to attend the Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage in October, where he showcased his blue-hued ink paintings blending Jingdezhen techniques with his own style.

Nieuwendijk emphasized that firsthand experiences can overcome misconceptions. "Western media are often negative about China. If they knew more, or simply visited China, they would immediately see China differently."

He stressed that art connects people, and the connection is urgently needed in a world increasingly polarized. "I hope I can continue helping to build those connections," he said. ■