From Clay to Culture: The Enduring Art of Huishan Figurines

2025-06-06 13:29:00

Wuxi is a historical city with rich cultural heritage, including the renowned Huishan Clay Figurines - one of China's three major forms of painted sculpture, boasting a legacy of hundreds of years.

Crafted from black clay sourced from the northeastern foothills of Mount Huishan, this time-honored folk craft was listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006.

Zhou Lu, a recognized inheritor of the Huishan Clay Figurines, has been committed to the craft for 27 years. Rising from an ordinary apprentice to a master artist, she has created numerous works that reflect contemporary spirits.

"Every cultural exchange is a meeting of minds, and every artistic display shares a piece of the heart," said Zhou.