For nearly a decade, French ceramic artist Camille Grandaty has immersed herself in the rhythms of Jingdezhen. During this time, she has mastered traditional Chinese techniques, blending them with her own artistic voice. Now, in her latest creation, the “Sunflower Series,” Grandaty turns back to her French roots, reconnecting with the vibrant landscapes of the south of France and the iconic sunflower—a symbol famously immortalized by Van Gogh.
For Grandaty, the sunflower is more than a flower; it is a reflection of the human heart—joyful yet fragile, bold yet vulnerable. She explores the contrasts within its form: the radiant, orderly petals against its unruly leaves, the strength of its stem offset by its occasional twists. These dualities mirror the themes of her work—tradition and reinvention, East and West, exile and belonging.
After ten years in Jingdezhen, Grandaty’s exploration of these themes feels deeply personal. The city, with its contrasts of heritage and transformation, continues to mesmerize her. Yet, the desire to reconnect with her origins has led her to fold the colors and memories of Provence into the refined porcelain techniques she has mastered.
Painting with glaze—a hallmark of her work—is a process of both mastery and surrender, where the kiln’s fire transforms intentions into unpredictable beauty. Through the “Sunflower Series,” Grandaty bridges the worlds of her dual identity, offering porcelain works that are not merely objects but vessels of memory, belonging, and the universal search for light and connection.
