Porcelain sculptures have long been admired for their delicate beauty, but their use in performance art adds a dynamic and interactive dimension to this ancient medium. Here are some of the most notable examples where porcelain sculptures take center stage in performance art:

1. Ai Weiwei’s “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” (1995) – While not a traditional performance, this iconic act of smashing a 2,000-year-old Han Dynasty urn challenged perceptions of cultural value and permanence, using porcelain as a powerful symbol.

2. Claire Partington’s “Taking Tea” (2018) – This performance piece featured life-sized porcelain figures interacting in a surreal tea party, blending historical ceramic traditions with modern storytelling.

3. Theaster Gates’ “Soul Manufacturing Corporation” (2012) – Gates incorporated porcelain fragments into live performances, exploring themes of labor, race, and material culture through broken and reassembled ceramic pieces.

4. Yeesookyung’s “Translated Vase” Series (2000s) – In live installations, Yeesookyung combines shards of discarded porcelain into new sculptures, performing the act of repair as a metaphor for cultural hybridity.

5. Performance Art by Simone Leigh – Leigh’s work often features porcelain elements, such as in “The Waiting Room” (2016), where ceramic vessels become props in explorations of Black femininity and healing rituals.

These examples highlight how porcelain sculptures transcend static displays, becoming active participants in performances that challenge, narrate, and redefine artistic boundaries. The fragility and historical weight of porcelain make it a compelling medium for artists seeking to engage audiences in profound dialogues.