Clay sculpture master breathes life into Chinese unicorns

Octogenarian master craftsman Zhang Zhongqin – from Nanzhanglou village, Qilin township, located in Juye county in East China's Shandong province – has dedicated his life to preserving the traditional art of clay sculptures.

Renowned in the surrounding regions of Henan, Shandong, Jiangsu and Hebei provinces, Zhang's craftsmanship has earned him a preeminent reputation.

Zhang Zhongqin works meticulously on a piece. [Photo by Xiao Shouxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]

A former employee of a local art products factory, Zhang returned to farming after the plant closed down. "One day my uncle, who was also a clay sculpture artist, needed an extra pair of hands. I was there and since then, I've been deeply fascinated by clay sculptures and I've been practicing this art form for over 30 years," Zhang said.

He rarely uses sketches when creating his sculptures. By paying attention to proportion and focusing on the intricate details, he can bring to life various realistic human and animal forms.

Juye is renowned as the birthplace of the Qilin, or Chinese unicorn, a mythical creature that symbolizes good luck in folklore.

Zhang is particularly skilled at creating clay sculptures of Qilins. His crafted Qilins embody strength and vitality, capturing the essence of auspicious and happy living.

Zhang's works have gained in popularity and have become sought-after in the market, transforming humble clay into prized artistic treasures.

In recent years, he's welcomed over 50 groups of foreign visitors from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia. Additionally, an increasing number of young people have come to his workshop to learn from the master. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)