Firing up a passion for ceramics

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Xin Zhaoguo, an inheritor of the Zibo-style coloured glaze ceramic craft, in the process of making a ceramic product (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Xin Zhaoguo felt a sense of nervous anticipation as he prepared to open the kiln. Just one day earlier, he had carefully placed 200 cups inside and fired them for a full 10 hours.

Now, after allowing the interior to cool, it was finally time to reveal the results. He couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect of seeing his new creations.

It is this element of surprise that makes Xin’s work more rewarding. “That is the special thing about coloured glaze – you will never know if you have been successful or not until you open the kiln,” Xin explains.

“The charm of coloured glaze is in its unpredictability, with each piece taking on a unique pattern and hue that can never be replicated,” he says.

Xin, 48, is an inheritor of Zibo-style coloured glaze, an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the city in Shandong province. It’s a traditional Chinese ceramic craft which is renowned for its unique and vibrant colours.

Originating in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), coloured glaze has become an important calling card for folk art in Zibo. It was popular in the 1980s and the 1990s and products were sold to overseas markets. However, in the past two decades, fewer people have continued engaging in the handicraft, as it is not easy to make a living.

Born in Zibo, Xin was introduced to ceramics at a young age due to his family’s involvement with the traditional craft. His father, uncles and grandfather were all renowned colour glaze masters, and he learned his skills from them.

The process of creating the Zibo-style pottery involves applying various coloured glazes onto the surface of the ceramic during production, which are then fired at high temperatures to create an artistic effect.

He was amazed by the transformation that occurred during the firing process, where pieces of the same colour that went into the kiln would emerge with an array of different shades.

However, as the years passed, Xin lost interest in clay and went to work in a mechanical factory for three months, during which time, his hands, once accustomed to working with clay, touched hard, unyielding metal.

He soon realised that, unlike being a lathe operator, which requires following strict rules, his passion lay in more creative pursuits.

From then on, he has been practising making coloured glaze. “My fingerprints have been worn off, so I can’t use them for fingerprint recognition or opening my electronic lock. My hands are no longer responsive to these tasks,” Xin says.

Ceramic works made by Xin (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

One of Xin’s signature designs is his Ruoque (meaning “as if defective”) cup, which has won him numerous awards. At first glance, the vessel looks roughly produced, but it’s actually made with a delicate touch.

According to Xin, the cup is inspired by the Taoist work, Tao Te Ching, and he believes that truly great achievement does not come from perfection.

The origin of the design comes from a cup he once made that cracked, and it looked like the bark of an old tree. Xin, inspired, after numerous attempts finally created the Ruoque cup. It is made from rough clay with fine craftsmanship. Although its exterior appears utilitarian, the rim, bottom and inside of the cup are crafted with exquisite detail.

Xin pays great attention to the inheritance and promotion of the special techniques required to make Zibo-style colour glaze. He also actively participates in various cultural activities and exhibitions and guides apprentices in his own studio.

Under the title of Master Xin’s Studio, Xin livestreams on short-video platform Douyin every afternoon between 2pm and 4pm. He is surprised that there are thousands of people watching him making porcelain, and he enjoys answering their questions. Some fans even visit his studio to learn from him in person after watching his videos.