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Qiao Zhenxia

ZHANGQIU NEW YEAR’S PRINTS
31
/ 05 ~19/ 06
2011

With a history that dates back more than 600 years, Zhangqiu New Year’s Prints originated in Shanxi and were introduced to Shandong during the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). Shandong
– along with Taohuawu in Suzhou, Yangjiabu in Weifang and Yangliuqing in Tianjin – is considered one of the four major centres of New Year’s Prints in China. Possessing over 300 themes and varieties, these prints are characterised by their brilliant colours and the exaggerated forms of the characters portrayed. The carvings are extremely detailed, with rich composition and natural simplicity and symmetry. In 2008, they were included in China’s Second List of Intangible Cultural Heritage items.

Qiao Zhenxia graduated from the Faculty of Traditional Chinese Painting at the Shandong Institute of Art and is currently Director of the Association of Chinese Painters. She has been studying and learning the techniques of the Zhangqiu New Year’s Prints with Yan Junzhen, the 11th heir to these techniques. She is currently engaged in the carving, restoration, production, printing, promotion and sale of Zhangqiu New Year’s Prints.

   

 

Xu Xiuling

LU EMBROIDERY
31 / 05 ~ 19 / 06
2011

One of the first forms of embroidery to be recorded in historical documents, Lu Embroidery is an old and distinctive art, which was already universally famous during the Warring States
Period (475-221 BCE). It therefore holds a position of great relevance in Chinese handicraft history. The Silk Embroidery of Jinan is one of the most representative styles within Lu Embroidery.

Xu Xiuling specialises in silk hair embroidery. Her works, which embrace a vast array of topics and themes, are notable for their realistic texture. They are both vivid and expressive, resembling an enchanting water colour painting. Xu’s works enjoy widespread popularity, and she has been awarded various important prizes, among them the Silver Prize at the 1st China Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and the Hundred Flowers Prize (Gold Cup) of Chinese handicrafts.

 

 

 

Guoan Tian

QI WRITING BRUSHES
21/ 06 ~10/07
2011

A uniquely Chinese writing implement, the Chinese writing brush is considered to be the most important of the “Four Treasures of Learning”, esteemed by both scholars and calligraphers. Qi
Writing Brushes, the Hu Writing Brushes of Zhejiang, the Xuan Writing Brushes of Anhui and the Heng Writing Brushes of Hebei, collectively known as the “Famous Brushes of China”, have been
produced for over two thousand years. They are crafted and refined from rigorously selected materials, making them ‘sharp’, ‘uniform’, ‘homogeneous’ and ‘robust’, as well as durable.

Guoan Tian is the heir to the techniques of producing Qi Writing Brushes and a provincial master of traditional handicrafts. He began his apprenticeship when he was twelve years old and now gives continuity to this traditional artform, dedicating himself to promoting and developing the craft. His Qi Writing Brush titled Writing Brush in Elephant Bone and Yellow Tail Cloisonné won Best Handicraft Work in the 1st Edition of the Shandong Handicraft Production Competition.

 

 

 

Zhang Yujie

XU YAN INKSTONES
21 / 06 ~ 10 / 07

2011

Xu Yan Inkstones originate in Xu Gong Dian in the village of Qing Tuo, located in Yinan County, Shandong Province. These stones have four unique characteristics: strange shape, beautiful
colour, smooth texture and high density. Xu Yan Inkstones are considered to be the best in existence, with a hardness similar to iron of approximately four degrees (Mohs), making them true treasures among inkstones.

Zhang Yujie is well versed in poetry, literature, printing and inkstones. He strives to endow his inkstones with a natural harmony by using the natural veins and contours inherent in the mineral.
His favourite themes are water and clouds, and his sculpting technique is gentle and thoughtful. His participation in national and international exhibitions has earned him various prizes, and his works are collected by many connoisseurs and cultural entities worldwide.

 

 

 

Fan Jimei

WOOD-TURNED TOYS OF LINYI
12 ~ 31 / 07

2011

Wood-turned toys, with origins in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), have been a cherished part of the childhood of over ten generations of citizens in Linyi City, in the province of Shandong.
The design, material and artistic content of the toys are welladapted to the rigours of rural life, which in turn imbues them richly with local characteristics. The more than 500 varieties of toys can be divided into ten main groups, the most representative of which are the stick dolls and the Yan cars.

Fan Jimei was born to a family involved in the production of wood-turned toys, and they influenced him from an early age, when he learnt both wood-turning and painting techniques. Ever since, he has not stopped innovating and creating new products, including various domestic utensils, decorative pieces and educational toys. He has been named ‘Heir to the Wood-turned Toys Tradition’ by the city of Linyi.

 

 

 

Wang Shilin

JADE SCULPTURES OF LAIZHOU
12 ~ 31 /07
2011

The Jade Sculptures of Laizhou are produced in the mountainous coastal area of Laizhou City, on the Shandong Peninsula, where the unique mineral resources gave rise to a sculpture tradition now world renowned. The craft adapted to the robustness and solidity of the stones, so that unique techniques were developed and perfected by generations of artisans, giving rise to a style both natural and simple. Along the years, aspects of other sculpting techniques were also incorporated. The pieces, themed on everyday life, demonstrate an extremely high level of quality.

Wang Shilin is a First Class Provincial Handicrafts Teacher. He places great emphasis on the ideological content and the artistic concept of his creations, carefully selecting stones of great quality for use in his work. This endows his creations with a certain aesthetic feel combining both natural beauty and refined technique. His works are characterised by a concise, meticulous, confident and fluent technique and his tendency toward linear, simple forms.

 

 

 

Mao Jun

 

DEZHOU BLACK POTTERY
02 ~ 21/08
2011

Dezhou Black Pottery is a form of unglazed ceramic. The black clay used can appear black-gold or even jade, depending on the angle and light in which it is admired. Dezhou was already at the forefront of ceramic techniques in ancient times, when the Shandong grey clay ceramics were developed. Dezhou Black Pottery appeared later, during the 1970s, and Dezhou became the
centre of production of this type of pottery in China.

Mao Jun has dedicated himself to the design of black pottery for over twenty years. By combining traditional ceramic techniques with techniques used in calligraphy, painting and engraving in his black pottery production, Mao has gradually developed his own personal artistic style. This includes the new technique of decorating the black pottery after it has been fired, which greatly adds to the cultural and artistic value of his works.

 

 

 

Yang Yuxing

STRAW HANDICRAFTS OF LAIZHOU
02 ~ 21/08
2011

The Straw Handicrafts of Laizhou have a long history, developing from traditional straw, hat and basket production to include a far greater variety of items, including baskets and bags made from corn bran, drawings in straw and boxes created with wheat straw collage. Produced using exquisite techniques, this handicraft is unique in style and abounds in local characteristics.
The artistic and practical value of the pieces has meant successful commercial distribution both nationally and internationally. The Straw Handicrafts of Laizhou are included in China’s List of
Intangible Cultural Heritage items.

Yang Yuxing is a provincial level heir to this intangible cultural heritage. Over the last forty-odd years, he has created more than ten thousand pieces and has introduced daring new designs in the production of this traditional handicraft, widening the range of available items. Many of his works have won awards for design creativity and have even been granted national patents.

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