Chinese Rich tradition and art history in China is world famous. In the past twenty years, resulting from the opening of cultural exchange in art education, Chinese arts have experienced an explosion of new ideas. This slide show will explore the dialogue between traditional art and contemporary expression.

Slab Built Figure Sculpture

Xiaoping will use the Yixing paddled slab method to make contemporary abstract figures. A wooden mallet is used to pound out thin slabs of clay, lending incredible strength and plasticity. Slabs are formed into cylinders that are manipulated from the inside and out to breathe volume and life into the body parts. Components are then assembled into a figure, which becomes animated through carving, cutting, and adding details. This process results in expressive, lively figures.

Yixing Traditional Round Teapots

Demonstration of a round Yixing teapot, Junya will using traditional tools and slab techniques. Watch the amazing transformation from thin paddled slabs into a perfectly symmetrical round form. Learn the secrets behind this process and its vast array of tools. Every step is explained and demonstrated in detail, illustrating the importance of craftsmanship and precision. The roots of this ancient technique date back 1000 years to the Song Dynasty. Since that time Yixing has been renowned for the elegance and function of its small teapots.

Yixing Traditional Square Teapots

Demonstration of a square Yixing teapot, Junya will again using traditional tools and slab techniques. A similar process and attention to craftsmanship will be used to create a square teapot instead of round. Each step of construction will be shown and explained in detail. In addition, insight into the unique Yixing aesthetic tradition will be explored.

Realistic Bamboo and Wood Teapots

Demonstration of teapots made to look like bamboo and wood.Yixing has a long tradition of teapots that emulate objects of nature, creating a space for contemplation during the drinking of tea. Traditional Yixing tools and working methods will be used as a building block for imaginative teapots inspired by nature.

Realistic Bamboo and Wood Textures in Clay

This is a hands-on demonstration of bamboo and wood texturing techniques. These methods can be used as sculptural elements or details on Yixing teapots. Participants will use Yixing tools and sculpting techniques to create the natural surfaces found in some Yixing ware.

Sculpting Figure From Life Model

Demonstration of sculpting the head and bust from life model in the western classical tradition. Using both additive and subtractive techniques, instruction will be given on how to render the human head in clay. In this process, special attention is given to replicating textures and gestural qualities of facial expressions.Demo by Xiaoping

Yixing Style Low-Relief Sculpting of Traditional Flower, Animal and Contemporary Motifs

Demonstration of creating low-relief decorative sculptures in the Yixing tradition. Small balls of colored clay are added and smeared with the thumb to create detailed flower and animal designs on the surface of pots or tiles. This tradition of low-relief sculpting dates back to the Ming Dynasty in Yixing. Decoration of this type is usually found on large water jars and planters using flower, bird, and dragon imagery.

Chinese Tea Ceremony

Participate in the traditional preparation and drinking of Chinese Black Dragon Tea (Oolong tea). The relationship between tea and the unique Zisha clay Yixing teapots has been evolving since the Song dynasty. The ceremony celebrates the beauty of the rich amber color, the floral bouquet, and the delicate and complex flavors of the tealeaves. Among tea connoisseurs, it is widely believed that only through the proper use of Yixing ware can one fully appreciate the complexities of tea.

1.Program for One day workshop

Traditional and contemporary chinese art slide show(9:00-10:30)

Demonstration Yixing traditional round teapot (10:30-2:00)

Demonstration slab built contemporary figure sculpture(2:00-4:00

Hand-on realistic bamboo and wood textures in clay(4:00-5:00)

2.Program for two day workshop

First Day

Traditional and contemporary chinese art slide show (9:30-11:00)

Demonstration Yixing traditional round teapot (11:00-3:30)

Hand-on part of the techniques of make round teapot and realistic bamboo and wood textures in clay (3:30-5:30)

Second Day

Demonstration slab built contemporary figure sculpture(9:30-2:30)

Hand-on slab built contemporary hands (2:30-5:30)

3.Program for one week hand-on teapot and sculpture

Traditional and contemporary chinese art slide show

(9:00-12:00 Monday)

Hand-on Yixing traditional round teapot

(1:00-5:00 Monday,Tuesday)

Hand-on realistic bamboo, bamboo leaf, and wood etc.realistic textures in clay tile(Wednesday)

Hand-on slab built contemporary figure sculpture(Thursday,Friday)

4.Program for one week hand-on slad built teapots

Traditional and contemporary Yixing teapots slide show

(9:30-10:30 Monday)

Hand-on Yixing traditional round teapot

(10:30-5:00 Monday,Tuesday)

Hand-on realistic bamboo, bamboo leaf, and wood etc.realistic textures in clay tile(Wednesday)

Pot Luck-Chinese tea ceremony (12:00-2:00 Wednesday)

Hand-on contemporary square teapot with wood textures(Thursday Friday)