(Reported by Yang Chenxi) At 2:00 p.m. on October 31, 2022, the lecture of “School Forum” was successfully held online. It is our honor to invite Professor Zhang Yinling, a master of Chinese ceramic art, to give us the lecture. Professor Zhang Yinling, who graduated from the Department of Fine Arts of Jiangxi Normal University, is a master of Chinese ceramic art, a master of arts and crafts in Jiangxi Province, a cultural and artistic celebrity in Jiangxi Province, a inheritor of intangible cultural heritage in Jiangxi Province, a member of the 10th CPPCC Jiangxi Committee, a judge of Jiangxi senior arts and crafts artists, a judge of Jiangxi arts and crafts masters, and a judge of the 6th Chinese Arts and Crafts Masters. In 1985, Professor Zhang was elected as a member of Jingdezhen Youth Federation, and became the only youth representative of Jingdezhen to accompany the state leaders Liu Yandong and Li Keqiang to Japan by “Ziluolan” Sino-Japanese friendship ship. In 2008, she was elected as a member of the 10th CPPCC Jiangxi Committee, and again became the only representative of Jingdezhen to accompany the state leader Hu Jintao to Japan to attend the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. In 2011, she was employed as the master supervisor of Jingdezhen Ceramic University; in 2012, she served as the judge of Jiangxi Arts and Crafts Masters; in 2014, she was rated as an Outstanding Ceramic Artist and ranked on the Economic List of the Ceramic Capital; in 2016, she was named as an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage of Jiangxi Province; in 2016, she was rated as a master of Chinese ceramic art. In 2018, she was appointed as the judge of the 6th Chinese Arts and Crafts Masters

The theme of this lecture is “The decorative use of blue and white on ceramic sculptures”, which focuses on the introduction and appreciation of several exquisite ceramic sculptures to lead students to understand the types of ceramic sculptures and the characteristics of blue and white contrasting color. It is of great help to students to understand and appreciate ceramic sculpture art works. Professor Zhang Yinling gave the lecture in the following three parts.

I. Craft Types of Ceramic Sculpture

From the Qin and Han Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, ceramic sculpture can be divided into four types according to the production methods: round sculpture, relief sculpture, engraving sculpture and kneading sculpture. Prof. Zhang divided several ceramic sculptures into different categories and explained the theoretical knowledge of their craft, so that the students could have a more intuitive understanding of the differences between different types of ceramic sculptures.

Taking a comprehensive view of modern and contemporary ceramic sculpture, Prof. Zhang said that today’s artistic creation is no longer restricted by the original simple categories. The original categories of round, relief, engraving, and kneading have gradually evolved into a relationship of mutual combination, mutual foil, and interdependence. At the same time, Prof. Zhang suggested that from the expression of traditional techniques and traditional subjects to the innovation in modern and contemporary times, young art workers need to think about how to use the traditional techniques to give full play to their intellectual strengths and express the thoughts and aesthetic interests of modern people.

II. Decorative Methods of Ceramic Sculptures

    Prof. Zhang introduced four decoration methods of ceramic sculpture, namely: pure blue and white, overglaze, new color and traditional pastel. Then, from the seven works, including “Sheng Ge”, “Blue and White Lady”, “Lotus Beauty”, “Dream of Tang Women”, “Baby Play” series, “Golden Boy and Jade Girl” newlywed porcelain and “Joy” Doucai Girl, she explained their modeling characteristics, decoration methods, style features and production difficulties. The students further learned about the production process and the decoration methods of ceramic sculpture art works, which improved their understanding of ceramic sculpture and benefited them greatly.

III. Works Appreciation

Prof. Zhang led the students to appreciate the effect of blue and white doucai decoration on ceramic sculptures, which further deepened the students’ understanding of blue and white doucai decoration method of ceramic sculptures, and helped them to appreciate and interpret the beauty of ceramic sculptures with more comprehensive knowledge and vision.

At the end of the lecture, Prof. Zhang presented several extremely precious ceramic sculptures to the students. Their qualities of “sound like chime, white like jade” made the students admire. The students also seized the opportunity to actively communicate with Prof. Zhang, who answered their questions and welcomed them to visit the Ceramic Research Institute, bringing the atmosphere of the lecture to a climax.