Exhibition Dates: June 17 to June 25, 2023

Exhibition Venue: 6th Floor, China National Arts and Crafts Museum and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum

Supervisor: China National Light Industry Council

Introduction: Chinese ceramics, ever-evolving and magnificent, once traveled the world along the Maritime Silk Road. They symbolize Chinese civilization and serve as a cultural code for the Chinese nation. These pottery pieces embody the five directions (Wufang), five phases (Wuxing), and five virtues (Wude), offering practical, aesthetic, and collectible value. They are timeless exemplars of Chinese practical and lifestyle aesthetics.

Yixing Zisha is home to renowned masters. The most influential group of contemporary Zisha artists, “Zisha Jiujun,” is composed of nine masters of arts and ceramic art from Jiangsu: Shi Xiaoming, Fan Jianjun, Gu Meiqun, Jiang Yongjun, Yu Xiaofang, Fan Weiqun, Jiang Yanbin, Mao Zijian, and Fan Zefeng. They collaborate, inspire each other, learn from one another, and make progress together, forming a formidable force that leads the way in creating exquisite artworks. They tirelessly explore the path of high-quality development for Zisha culture and industry, continuously rejuvenating Zisha art. This diverse and innovative approach has significant implications for China’s traditional arts and crafts industry.

Supported by the China National Arts Fund (CNAF), the exhibition “Evolving Tradition: Zisha Jiujun Exhibition of Innovative Works” has already been showcased at the Henglu Art Museum in Hangzhou and the Jiangsu Modern Art Museum in Nanjing, which has garnered significant attention. Now, it is going to be presented at the China National Arts and Crafts Museum and China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum in Beijing, allowing us to closely examine the new power in Zisha art.

Translator: CHEN Nuoqi

Reviewer: BAO Minmin