Passing Down Traditions: Exhibition Explores Contemporary Chinese Zisha Artworks
VANCOUVER, March 28, 2018 /CNW/ - The exhibition "Essence in Zisha: Eastern Intangible Cultural Heritage of Yixing Stoneware" features an unparalleled collection of contemporary zisha artworks, showcasing the unique Chinese culture and lifestyle.
The exhibition has generated a buzz of excitement from art enthusiasts in Vancouver. Poly Culture Art Center presents nearly 300 pieces of zisha artworks from 200 contemporary artisans, highlighting ten National Masters in today's China.
Zisha, a rare clay, can be found nowhere other than Yixing, China. Although literally meaning purple sand in Chinese, zisha naturally comes in a variety of different colours such as purple, red, green, and a mixed colour.
The development of zisha stoneware is not separable from tea culture, a core element in Chinese identity. With excellent porosity and heat handling characteristics superior to glass and porcelain, zisha is ideal for brewing tea to enhance its flavor. Handmade zisha teapots achieve subtle metallic luster and become more beautiful over time with using.
Zisha stoneware making process requires painstaking craftsmanship, combined with material knowledge, traditional techniques, and individual creativity. "Today's zisha stoneware making is very much engaged with tradition dates back thousands of years, in terms of tools, skills and designs." Said Joyce Ji, zisha specialist of Poly Culture Art Center. "Potters use traditional tools made of bamboo, wood, metal and horn to form, shape and create a fully functional and aesthetically pleasing object. They also integrate other traditional Chinese art forms such as calligraphy, painting, sculpting, and carving."
The exhibition showcases a group of zisha art works comprising teapots, cups, trays, sculptures, flowerpots and tea pets.
In recent years, zisha stoneware has revived and re-gained its popularity among art lovers and collectors, in the rediscoveries of the traditions and reconstruction of the contemporary culture.
"In China, private collectors tend to invest in contemporary zisha stoneware bearing both tradition and innovation, rather than antiques or out-of-range works." Said Ji, adding that the "Squirrel Ten Piece Tea Set" by Gu Jingzhou was acquired for almost $19 million at the 2015 Beijing Dongzheng Autumn Auction, setting the record for Chinese zisha at auction. Gu (1915-1996) is the most renowned zisha potter in China.
The exhibition continues Poly Culture's expertise in Chinese art, as well as shows its commitment to promoting bilateral culture exchange between China and Canada. In early May, five of the aforementioned National Masters will join a cultural exchange delegation to Canada to meet with local leading artists and potters. Vancouver is the first stop of their tour, followed by Victoria, Calgary and Toronto.
Poly Culture Art Center will organize an array of events such as Zisha Art and Culture Salon, demonstration of zisha teapot making process, and VIP tasting activities before it ends on May 31.
The exhibition is part of Poly Culture Art Center's special celebration of Canada-China Year of Tourism 2018. More information, please visit www.polyculture.us
Exhibition details:
Address: 905 W Pender St #100, Vancouver, BC
Date: Feb 17-May 31, 2018
Admission is free of charge.
About the company:
Poly Culture North America has been committed in bilateral cultural exchange and international cooperation between China and North America, since launched in 2015. It has successfully held several exhibitions and performances such as the Vancouver debut performance for the China Philharmonic Orchestra; "The Antiques of the Qianlong Period: A Mirror Reflecting a Chinese Emperor's Attitudes to the Past and the West" exhibition; the "Selected Bronze Censers of the Ming and Qing Dynasties" exhibition; the "Exquisite Chinese Jades Throughout the Ages" exhibition along with many others, exhibiting the cultural heritage of China.
SOURCE Poly Culture North America
Media Contact: Sam Wang, Tel: 604.284.3333, Email: [email protected]
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