Nanxi Jin ( She/ Her )

As a Chinese-American artist, I have lived in the United States for the past twelve years, grappling with my dual identity and the tension between cultural influences. Despite this, I still experience a certain sense of detachment from the American community, as though I am an observer rather than a fully assimilated member. It is this part of my identity which I seek to express through clay. I come from Jingdezhen—China’s porcelain capital—where I was first introduced to the profound history and craftsmanship by my parents. Jingdezhen is an artistic anchor for me. My practice is grounded in these traditional techniques and imbued with my lived experience as an immigrant.

In this way, my art becomes a bridge between two cultures. I draw inspiration from Eastern gestures and techniques, blending them with the textures, colors, and expansive horizons of the Western landscapes that I experience and immerse myself in. This synthesis creates an aesthetic dialogue which is simultaneously interested in both tradition and innovation, the familiar and the foreign. Through this interplay, I unpack the complexities of identity, belonging, and the paradox of cultural assimilation.

Nanxi Jin is an interdisciplinary artist and educator who specializes in ceramics media. Originally from Jingdezhen, China, she is currently based in Chicago. Nanxi obtained a BFA in Art & Design from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2020 and her MFA in ceramics from the School of Art Institute of Chicago in 2022. Nanxi explores the complexity of cultural identity and belonging from  her lived experience as a Chinese-American artist through her artwork. Drawing from her upbringing in Jingdezhen, China’s porcelain capital, and her twelve years in the U.S. Nanxi explores the tension of living between two cultures and the complexities of navigating a hyphenated identity. Grounded in traditional ceramic techniques, her art bridges Eastern and Western cultures, blending Eastern craftsmanship and aesthetics with the textures, colors, and Western design philosophy. This synthesis of culture and identity creates a dialogue between tradition and innovation, the familiar and the foreign, addressing the paradox of cultural assimilation and the search for identity.Nanxi’s work has been exhibited internationally, including at NYCxDesign during NYC Design Week, SOIL in Seattle, Women’s Made Gallery in Chicago, and Paris Design Week in France. She received the First Prize in the 2022 “Shiwan Cup” Youth Ceramics Competition, and  the Silver Medal of the 12th Chinese Ceramic Art Exhibition. Her work “Various Vase” has been collected in Guangdong Shiwan Ceramic Museum, China. Nanxi recently had a solo show,   “Procedure” at Longquan Wanou TaoXichuan Cultural and Creative Block Yi Gallery, Longquan China.