Overseas Returnee Inherits, Revitalizes Traditional Craft
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Overseas Returnee Inherits, Revitalizes Traditional Craft
July 20, 2022[Xinhua/Yang Chenguang] |
Qiao Lin, 30, a resident of Yangcheng, a county in Jincheng, a city in North China's Shanxi Province, is an inheritor of the Qiaos' enamel pottery-making craft. The craft was added to the list of Shanxi's provincial intangible cultural heritage in 2011. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750℃ and 850℃. The powder melts, flows and hardens — to a smooth, durable vitreous coating — on metal, glass or ceramic.
Yangcheng has long been known for the production of color-glazed porcelain. Making color-glazed porcelain involves dozens of complicated procedures, including kneading clay into various items (such as cups, plates and vases), applying the glaze to the porcelain's base (made of clay, feldspar or quartz), heating the materials to shape the porcelain, and examining the products.
[Xinhua/Cao Yang] |
Qiao returned home in 2015, shortly after she graduated from Binghamton University (a state university in New York, the United States), with bachelor's degree in actuarial science. Within a short time, she picked up the "baton" (of creating potteries) from her seniors. During the past several years, she has put much effort into inheriting and revitalizing the traditional craft.
As managing director of Yangcheng Qiaofeng Porcelain Industry Co., Ltd., Qiao during the past few years has led the company's craftspeople in promoting the inheritance and innovation of the traditional enamel-pottery-making craft. For example, to cater to the aesthetic tastes of modern people, Qiao has led the craftspeople in adding modern, fashionable elements to their potteries. They have also created potteries with designs of cultural and natural landscapes. Many of the cultural products (including those sold to tourists created by the craftspeople), with distinctive local features, have sold well both at home and abroad. Some artworks created by Qiao and other craftspeople (in the company) have been housed in Shanxi Museum. Given the sound development of the company, jobs have been created for many residents of Yangcheng.
"Our company has set up a studio, in which residents may create potteries under the guidance of our craftspeople. We hope that will help the residents better understand the beauty of the artworks. We also hope more young people will join us in promoting the development of the traditional craft," says Qiao.
[Xinhua/Cao Yang] |
[Xinhua/Yang Chenguang] |
Qiao's heart is filled with all sorts of emotions, especially as she recalls the many sweet, and bitter, incidents she has experienced on her unique career path over the years. "We have to make many choices during our lifetime. Although the living conditions of residents of a big city (in China) are better than the living conditions of people in my hometown, I have never regretted my decision to return home to promote the development of the traditional craft. I have felt obliged to do something to promote the art form globally ... As I pursue my dream (of revitalizing the traditional craft), I will achieve my self-realization," says Qiao.
She believes passion and careful work are essential to one's career success. "I'll make greater efforts to bring new vitality to the time-honored craft," says Qiao.
[Xinhua/Cao Yang] |
(Source: Xinhua/Women of China English Monthly June 2022 issue)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Related articles
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge could rule as early as Monday on Ohio’s law banning virtually a2024-05-22- Fast casual chain Cava is the top fastest-growing food spot in the US this year, new data from Yelp2024-05-22
Horoscope today: Daily guide to what the stars have in store for YOU
As we move from the Trail of Fire towards Mars and Saturn's rendezvous in Pisces, resilience is in t2024-05-22As Victoria Beckham turns 50, the money
When Victoria Beckham sits down at the table in the opulent London restaurant where she will celebra2024-05-22- Cancer-stricken King Charles will be feeling fresh heartache after a former IRA commander confessed2024-05-22
Ryan Gosling makes rare comment about daughters while discussing I'm Just Ken performance at Oscars
Ryan Gosling made a rare comment about his daughters on Thursday while promoting his new movie on Th2024-05-22
atest comment