Working with H C Andersen's amazing paper cuts inspired me to find my own expression, and this piece is a map over the city of Jingdezhen. Based on the cities grid of roads and alleys it fills in the blocks with people, animals and ceramic production. It is kind of a souvenir map, made out of my own memories and experiences rather than geographical facts. At the time hardly anyone used the city map, there were few street signs but practical names such as 'food alley' and 'big pot factory'.
The paper cut also shows people playing mahjong, young students outside the university campus, people making sculptures, children with big umbrellas, the Mao statues made in the sculpture factories, the vendor selling cages of rabbits, stray dogs, wild chicken and large dragonflies, porcelain street lights and trucks loaded with tall vases - all which for me is the city of Jingdezhen...
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