Clay sculptures artisanal transformation

As artisans in east China adeptly blend traditional craftsmanship with modern market demands, the region’s Huishan clay figurines have undergone a modern revival with product lines and community engagement that appeal to young consumers.

With a history of more than 400 years, Huishan clay sculptures are traditional Chinese folk art that combines modeling and painting. The craft is predominantly practiced in Wuxi, a city in east China’s Jiangsu Province.

The clay figurines feature concise and full shapes, smooth and lively lines, bright and eye-catching colors, and ingenious and meticulous designs. In the past, Huishan clay figurines were enshrined in the ancestral halls of local families.