Oriental-ceramics expert May Huang is coming to Manila to discuss recently discovered blue-and-white shards from her hometown Jingdezhen, China.
The lecture, “New Discoveries on 14th Century Blue-and-White Ware,” organized by Asia Society Philippines, Oriental Ceramic Society of the Philippines (OCSP), and Ayala Museum, on Nov. 22, 3 p.m. , at Ayala Museum.
The discovery of early Yuan blue-and-white shards from the city of Jingdezhen in 2009 suggests rich new evidence of exchange and communication between China and the Islamic world. The ceramics from Hongwei Cinema confirms that Yuan blue-and-white porcelain has its origins in the Islamic world, particularly under-glazed cobalt-blue pottery.
This discovery is by far the most important in early Yuan blue-and-white ceramics, ceramic and art experts say.
Huang will be joined by ceramic scholar Rita Tan and distinguished Yuan Dynasty collector Larry Gotuaco. Tan will give a brief introduction on 14th-century or Yuan blue-and-white ware, contextualizing and explaining the importance of this particular discovery.
Gotuaco will discuss Philippine archaelogical finds in relation to the new discoveries.
Huang is a rising star in the world of Oriental ceramics. Only this year, she had been featured speaker of Oriental-ceramic Societies of Paris, London and Hong Kong, where she gave a talk on “Recent Discoveries of Early Yuan Blue-and-White from the Jingdezhen Kiln site.” She will be speaking on the same subject in Manila.
Huang is a lecturer at the School of Ceramic Art, Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute, where she teaches courses in the history of Chinese ceramics and world ceramics. She has extensive field experience in archaeological excavations.
In 2008 and 2013, she received the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute’s award for Exemplary Teacher. She holds a master’s degree from Peking University and has published articles in Wenwu and other publications.
Tan curated several exhibitions in the Philippines, including Ayala Museum’s “Millennium of Contact” exhibition, featuring highlights from the Roberto T. Villanueva Collection.
Gotuaco and Tan co-authored the catalogue “Chinese and Vietnamese Blue-and-White Wares Found in the Philippines.”
“New Discoveries on 14th Century Blue-and-White Ware” is presented by Security Bank and Watershed Development.
Tickets are P350 for adults and P200 for students, senior citizens, AGC employees and members of Ayala Museum, Asia Society and Oriental Ceramics Society of the Philippines.
Lecture fees include admission to the museum exhibitions.
Call Ayala Museum at 7598288; email hello@ayalamuseum.org.