A Clay Figure Zhang’s exhibition at the National Art Museum of China.
Clay Figure Zhang is a centuries-old school of painted clay sculpture that originated in Tianjin. Passed down through six generations of the Zhang family, the original techniques of traditional Chinese clay sculpture have still been preserved in the craft. In 2006, it was inscribed on the first list of China’s National Intangible Cultural Heritage Items.
The style was founded by Zhang Mingshan, who learned clay sculpting from his father as a child and developed extraordinary skills. By the age of 18, he had already earned the nickname “Clay Figurine Zhang.” His works covered a wide range of subjects, featuring lifelike forms and elegant colors.
The creation of a Clay Figure Zhang sculpture is a complex process that begins with selecting and aging the clay, followed by shaping, air-drying, firing, and finally coloring. Sculpture and painting are the two defining artistic features of the tradition. During the sculpting process, the artist first establishes the overall form and posture of the figure before carving details such as the folds in clothing. In coloring, techniques inspired by traditional Chinese realist paintings are often used, adding richness and depth to the work.
After Zhang Mingshan, the Zhang family continued to carry the art forward through successive generations, producing many masters and fine works. In 1915, Zhang Mingshan’s work The Female Weaver won first prize at the Panama – Pacific International Exposition, while works by Zhang Yuting, the second-generation inheritor, received an honorary award at the same event. Through the dedication of four succeeding generations, the tradition evolved into a signature style of north Chinese clay sculpture.
Today, Clay Figure Zhang remains committed to helping more people understand and appreciate this treasure of Chinese culture. In the year 2000, the Clay Figurine Zhang Traditional Painting and Sculpture Workshop was established in Tianjin. Equipped with facilities for sculpting, firing, creation, restoration, and coloring, the workshop integrates teaching, heritage preservation, and research. Moving beyond the traditional master–apprentice model, it offers more flexible pathways for young people to learn and experience the art, attracting a growing number of aspiring young artisans and enthusiasts from China and abroad to explore this classic art.
