Ceramic artists set out on trip to the North Pole

Twenty ceramic artists set out from Shanghai on a trip to the North Pole on July 14.

The artists will bring their ceramic sculptures to China's Arctic Station Huanghe, meaning Yellow River, and hopefully will be inspired to create new works, said Chen Haibo, organizer of the 12-day trip.

Among the artists are ceramic masters from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, Zhou Guozhen and Wang Longfu, who are both in their 80s.

"I thought the North Pole was for scientists only, and never expected that one day those of us from the cultural sectors could have such an unusual journey," Zhou said at the take-off ceremony a few hours before departure on Sunday.

China has become more involved in polar affairs, said Yang Huigen, director of the Polar Research Institute of China. "This time artists will present China's culture in the uninterrupted daylight of the North Pole."

The group took off from Shanghai, first flying to Iceland. They plan to meet with local people and officials and engage in cultural-exchange activities. On July 18, they will board a Hertigruten passenger ship and head to the North Pole.

The encounter of Nordic ice and ceramic fire will inspire artists to create new artworks to be exhibited home and abroad, Chen said.