Post-90s couple inherit clay sculpture techniques after graduation

By Globaltimes.cn-CFP, Published: 2017-07-03 16:35:26

Xu Mingsheng and his wife Zhu Yue make a sculpture of Bodhisattva together on July 2. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Editor's Note:

A post-90s couple, who graduated from the China Academy of Art two years ago, returned home to Huzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province and opened a clay sculpture workshop. Xu Mingsheng, who majored in sculpturing, learned the techniques from his father. He said that clay sculpture is a form of Chinese folk art and he is glad to promote this traditional art while make a living. The couple gained a good reputation for their skills and orders have been piled up for the next three years. The process of making a clay sculpture is complicated with more than 80 steps, including building a framework, pasting clay, and making putty and paint colors. Currently, most of the clay sculptors are seniors in the village, and the young couple hopes that there will be more attention paid to protecting the traditional art form in the future. Photos: Yang Hui/GT

The initial models of clay sculpture are seen at the couple’s workshop on July 2. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

The requirement of every customer is carefully written on the base of each sculpture. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Three newly-made clay models are set in the open air for drying in the sun. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

The couple clear dust and repair gaps after the sculptures have been painted with putty. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

Xu Guoliang, from whom Xu Mingsheng learned the technique, helps to make the sculpture at the workshop. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

A worker makes a clay sculpture of Bodhisattva at the workshop on July 2. As the orders have been piled up for the next three years, the couple hired some workers to help. Photo: Yang Hui/GT

The couple also renovate sculptures in local temples. Photo: Yang Hui/GT