Janet Mansfield(THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA)

    It is admirable intention to bring together the world’s  best-known ceramic artists and feature them in a book that will be accessible to many people. That this is the second book in the series is an even more remarkable achievement and demonstrates the dedication of Bai Ming to his task. To discover all the ceramists and find the different in the attitude of artists of varying cultures is a fascinating experience and one that brings many rewards. That intercommunication of varying cultures is a fascinating experience and one that brings many rewards. That intercommunication of artists from different countries has meant a spread of knowledge that has helped universal understanding in a far greater way than the mere sharing of techniques. Books and magazines have been accused of fostering a uniformity of style throughout the world ,but this is not true. Stryles develop independently according to the needs of the artists and the people who appreciate their work. Issues may be world-wide, but the approach of individuals in conjunction with their singular background cultures will provide quite specific responses and it is this which makes the study of world ceramics so interesting. Australia had been colonized for little more than 200 years, and with an indigenous population that never made ceramics, pioneer artists had to seek inspireation from the landscape of their new home, as well as reflect the values of their former homeland. Australian artists of today are part of their new home, as well as reflect the values of their former homeland. Australian artists of today are part of international arera, facing the same issues and life-style as those of their colleagues around the world. Yet, there is still a hint of the pioneer in their attempt to bring out the best in their materials and ideas.