The Final Kiln: How CPEC Opportunities in Fashion are Pulling Kashi Artisans Away from Ceramics
Kashi artists in Pakistan, renowned for their intricate ceramic tile craftsmanship, are increasingly shifting towards clothing design. Faced with economic challenges, limited market access, and shrinking demand for traditional ceramics, they are exploring alternative career paths. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) offers new trade and cultural exchange opportunities, especially in the fields of textiles, which has further encouraged this shift. While these opportunities promise better financial stability for artists, they also present a serious threat to the survival of Kashi tile-making. This article presents a qualitative study based on interviews with the artists, documenting their struggles, hopes, and the growing risk to the ceramic industry. It calls for urgent action from the ceramic community to preserve this craft through cross-disciplinary collaboration with the fashion industry. Without timely intervention, the centuries-old art of Kashi tile-making may be lost, taking with it an invaluable part of Pakistan’s cultural heritage and ceramic art.
