Li Shoucai and his Jun-glazed ceramic work. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Li Shoucai, a reputed Jun ware master from Yixing city, Wuxi, was honored by China National Light Industry Council as "Chinese craftsman", Wuxi Daily reported on Nov 12.
In order to promote the "craftsman spirit" during the 40th anniversary of reform and opening-up, a total of 42 craftsmen from light industries were awarded.
Renowned for the creation of embossed decorations on Jun-glazed potteries, Li Shoucai, 64, has spent some 47 years in the time-honored ceramic-making industry.
The Yixing native has made key breakthroughs in the traditional craft by developing exquisite relief patterns on the potteries to enhance the visual effect on a three-dimensional level.
The creative combination of multiple pile and stick methods by Li leads to a compelling artistic appeal, according to judges with the inheritor list released by the Ministry of Culture in April.
Li Shoucai is renowned for the creation of embossed decorations on Jun-glazed potteries. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Li, who started his career as an apprentice, has now fostered 26 intellectual property rights and patents of his own to make sure the classic heritage will never lose its luster.
Yixing Jun-glazed pottery historically refers to the earthenware produced in the Jingshan area of Dingshu Town, Yixing, Jiangsu province in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties.
The main decorative methods and features of crafts are Jun glaze and embossed decoration. There are two types of Jun-glazed pottery clay body: white and purple; and dozens of under glazes' colors.
The embossed decoration of Jun-glazed pottery also known as decal is a unique earthenware decorative skill of Yixing. This craft requires flexible fingering to "twist, twiddle, rub, tap, press" colorful earthenware clay to emboss a beautiful picture on the body of Jun-glazed pottery. Jun-glazed pottery is renowned for its simplicity, beauty, colorful glaze and long history.
Li Shoucai's masterpiece Xiang (Fly). [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
(source:chinadaily.com.cn)
