Clay Sculpture (Beijing Clay Figure Zhang)

Dongcheng District, Beijing
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"Clay Figure Zhang" is a kind of folk art deeply loved by the people. It was first created during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of nearly 200 years. It is well-known at home and abroad for its distinctive characteristics and unique artistic value. Clay Figure Zhang's colored sculptures inherit the excellent tradition of ancient Chinese clay sculptures in art, and have developed and innovated. "Clay Figure Zhang" has made an important contribution to the entry of Chinese clay sculptures from Buddhist temples to ordinary people's homes. The works created by traditional "Clay Figure Zhang" are small appreciation items placed on cabinets or shelves. They are indoor display sculptures, also known as shelf sculptures. However, the contemporary "Clay Figure Zhang" (Beijing branch) art works have expanded the space to public spaces and become urban sculptures of public art. "Clay Figure Zhang" (Beijing branch) hopes to expand the colored sculptures on the shelf into the public space of urban sculptures, so that they can enter the lives of the people and go into every corner of society, so that "Clay Figure Zhang" (Beijing branch) that has been obtained by the people can be returned to the people in multi-directional spaces. In the century-long development history of Clay Figure Zhang's colored sculptures, the prosperity and development of the Beijing branch reflects the new exploration results of traditional art in the context of contemporary culture. It has formed an artistic style with complete and rigorous modeling, bright and simple colors, and vivid characters, and pursues "carving shapes with clay, shaping meaning with hands, and letting shapes and meanings reach the heart."

Intangible culture related to the heritage

China tourist attractions related to the heritage