Telling NE China culture through clay figurines

Zhong Dongsheng, a master of making clay figurines in Jilin province, has devoted more than 30 years of his life creating mud men dressed in traditional Manchu costumes in different postures.

Zhong's clay figurines have been listed among the provincial intangible cultural heritage collection.

His workshop is a clay world with thousands of mud figures scattered throughout. Zhong said he fell in love with creating these fragile objects when he saw his father creating mud men in his childhood.

It became such an intense passion for him that he decided to quit his job and dedicate himself to the craft full time.

The Manchu prince and princess made by Zhong Dongsheng. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhong named all his clay men "Fuwa", which means lucky and happy children, but the cultures they represent are different.

There is a child wearing tiger head imitation hat and shoes and carrying a golden ginseng, one of the most popular and nutritious herb in Jilin province, and the Manchu princes and princesses portray the Manchu history of the area.

Among all these art pieces, Zhong most admires the one holding a red herring, standing on a lotus. In China, the herring is the symbol of luck, and the lotus represents harmony and peace.

To date, Zhong has created various serious clay figurines including Manchu Fuwa, NE China Fuwa and "On the way to school".

"Making clay figurines needs patience and inspiration," Zhang explained. "A good work should have nice appearance and cultural meanings."

Zhong and his mud artwork. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Besides creating mud men himself, Zhong also teaches others the skills. He said he wished to continue and inspire the inheritance of the traditional craft from generation to generation.

He always prepares the raw materials and offers clay-figure courses for free. Many students in middle schools and colleges usually visit Zhong and learn to make mud men, which brings him joy and comfort.

"Everyone who wants to learn the traditional craft is welcome in my workshop, and I'll offer free courses to them," Zhong added.