XU is a multidisciplinary ceramic art collective that tells stories through mixed media objects. As both curators and makers, the atelier's team scour local markets for antiquities to uncover lost techniques, hidden histories, and forgotten craftsmanship across the historic ceramic region of Jingdezhen. Combining clay with research-driven design, XU translates ancient narratives into contemporary ceramic sculpture by decoding traditional pieces to recreate their historical techniques.

Inspiration at the atelier comes from human emotion and the lived experiences of XU artisans. Pieces also emerge from researching ancient ceramic shipping methods, translating historical techniques of transit and wrapping directly into physical forms of clay. Even a practical detail observed during manual production can spark a new project. Constant adaptation is the greatest challenge: the atelier rarely sticks to one method, and as soon as the team masters a technique, they transition to another, driven by their research, often working without established guidance.