THE ART OF CLAY PAINTING

About the Book

Clay sculpting is an ancient traditional Chinese folk art. In the hands of the artists, fine clay is transformed into colorful sculptures. Subject matters of the sculptures usually come from characters in traditional Chinese folklore, classic literatures of operas and novels. It enjoyed the height of its boom between Tongzhi and Guangxu era in the Qing dynasty. Each piece reflects more than 300 years of Chinese folk art with life-like characteristics. The colors of the sculptures are elegant, natural and harmonious. In the 1980’s, due to severe economic downturn, many Chinese clay sculpture artists were forced to abandon their lifelong career for livelihood. Having witnessed the hardships the old master experienced, the next generation of apprentices were reluctant to pick up the craft. Therefore, this traditional art is not well preserved its history and works are not adequately organized, and valuable collections of clay sculptures have been largely destroyed. To avoid the complete loss of authentic craft handmade clay figures, it has been recognized and protected as a national heritage.

About the Author

JingMeng was born in China in 1935. She spent eight years of her youth in Inner Mongolia in the midst of Chinese Cultural Revolution. Even though life was harsh, she truly enjoyed her life being surrounded by the great nature and has absorbed the pure beauty of the endless pastures. She has most fond memory of her life in the grassland, and the whole experience has become the source of her creative inspiration. As a contemporary devotee of clay art form, Jing recognizes her responsibility to protect this traditional art form, however with innovations: infusing the Chinese art of clay sculpting with modern style and techniques, with each clay figure exuding its own romantic sentiment and personality.