Handmade Ceramic Tile-A Paper Boat

*****How it made****

In the glowing kilns of Jingdezhen, artist Yinshuang creates unique ceramic artworks that blend photography with ancient pottery techniques. She takes fleeting moments captured by her camera and turns them into lasting art through a special process. When transferring photographic images onto unglazed ceramic pieces, magic happens—the rough clay surface interacts unpredictably with the materials. Dry clay soaks up moisture from the decal paper, creating tiny bubbles that dance when fired. Local mineral pigments mixed into the glaze wander freely during the 700°C firing process, making each piece one-of-a-kind. Every time the kiln opens, it reveals not just a copied image, but a living artwork that tells its own story through natural imperfections.

Yinshuang embraces the “happy accidents” that traditional ceramic artists might call mistakes. Controlled techniques and unexpected results work together: clusters of bubbles form star-like patterns you can feel with your fingers, while cracks create lightning-like designs. Like a modern alchemist, she guides the process but lets the materials speak—glazes flow freely in the heat, creating a beautiful balance between artist control and nature’s creativity.

These fiery creations change how we see both photography and ceramics. Photos become touchable art, while sturdy ceramics gain a sense of time through delicate bubbles and cracks. When you look closely, you see layers of history: the original photo captures a moment in time, the glaze textures remember the day’s weather during firing, and tiny cracks keep growing like living things. This “living art” mixes Eastern and Western traditions while pointing to exciting new possibilities.

In today’s world of mass production, Yinshuang’s handmade approach keeps ceramic art special. Out of 100 pieces started, only 10-15 survive her strict selection. Each survivor wears its “flaws” proudly—a burst bubble might mirror raindrops in the original photo, or runaway colors might turn a realistic scene into abstract art. Run your fingers over the surface, and you’ll feel more than clay—you’ll sense the heat of the kiln, the artist’s breath as she worked, and the magical moment when a digital photo became a timeless treasure.

Our pottery is handmade by Ceramic Artist in Jingdezhen
Due to the nature of handmade ceramics pieces might have small imperfection and slight size differences, this is part of what makes every piece special and unique.

Surface of the ceramic tile is unglazed , decoration only.