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Chinese Ceramics
Short course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
The V&A collection of Chinese ceramics is globally recognised for its scale and scope. This weeklong in-person course offers an in-depth study of Chinese ceramics through a combination of lectures, object handling sessions that give you opportunity to get up close to ceramics of the V&A collections and expert led gallery visits at the V&A and British Museum.
This in-person course complements Dr Helen Glaister's 'The Arts of Asia' course series which continues this summer term with the online course ‘The Arts of Japan'; you do not need to be enrolled on any online course to join this event.
V&A Members get priority booking.
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Course Director
Dr Helen Glaister
Dr Helen Glaister is an art historian specialising in Chinese Ceramics and Decorative Arts. Helen has been Course Director since 2006 and previously worked at the British Museum. She has lectured for Birkbeck College, the British Library and is Senior Teaching Fellow at SOAS, University of London.
I signed up for this course as a one-off purely because of my interest in the subject but was so impressed by the lectures that I'll be looking to do further courses in the future. Previous V&A Academy Course Attendee
Course overview
Led by V&A Course Director Dr Helen Glaister with guest lectures by Chinese ceramic specialists Rose Kerr, Xiaoxin Li and Ivy Chan you will explore the V&A collection of Chinese ceramics with items dating from the neolithic to the present; the history of ceramics can be mapped across the vast territories of China and beyond, charting the development of body and glaze and the evolution of porcelain as a global commodity. Chinese ceramics were enjoyed at home and abroad, as articles of daily use, ritual items and collectible artefacts. Colour, decoration and form reflect a diverse range of cultural and artistic influences, highlighting domestic fashion and taste as well as the influx of artistic motifs and aesthetics – through travel, trade and diplomacy – which stimulated and enriched the ceramic traditions of China.
Bring your learning to life
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Get precious time with incredible exemplars, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
Enrol now
Short course: Chinese Ceramics
20 May 2024 - 24 May 2024
£395.00
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
