Fan Weiqun
Master Inheritor of National Intangible Cultural Heritage
Recipient of the State Council Special Allowance
Jiangsu Province Craft & Art Master | Jiangsu Province Ceramic Art Master
Senior Craft Artist | Vice President, Jiangsu Ceramic Art Professional Committee
Jiangsu Outstanding Contribution Expert (Mid‑aged & Youth)
First‑Class “Jiangsu Craftsman” Awardee
First‑Class “Jiangsu Local Talent” with Triple Leadership Role
Chief Artisan of Fan’s Pottery Studio
Director, Xiwang Zisha Ceramic Cooperative in Dingshu Town, Yixing
Appointed Expert for Zisha Artwork Valuation by Jiangsu Price Bureau
Research Fellow, China Zisha Art Research Institute
Born into a pottery family, Fan Weiqun （范伟群）is the fourth‑generation direct inheritor of the “Dasheng Pot” tradition. Immersed in ceramic culture from childhood and mentored by masters such as Xu Hantang, he has absorbed diverse strengths to carry forward the essence of Zisha art and extend the wisdom of generations. With nearly 40 years of dedication, Fan’s achievements are widely recognized in and beyond the industry, and he has actively promoted international exchange for Yixing Zisha. As an outstanding representative of contemporary mid‑aged Zisha artists, he has earned many honors, including National Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor, recipient of the State Council Special Allowance, and Jiangsu Province Craft & Art Master.
Fan Weiqun’s Zisha art combines ingenuity with profound appeal. Rooted in tradition yet driven by innovation, his works reflect a distinct contemporary spirit. Through deep study of classic techniques, he inherits ancient craftsmanship and wisdom—pieces such as Square Hidden‑Angle Bamboo Tripod Pot, Joined Water‑Chestnut Pot, and Joined Plum Pot are imbued with classical beauty. At the same time, Fan explores new inspiration within tradition, creating works like Tangdi Pot, Elegance Pot, and Chu Charm Pot that meet traditional aesthetics while embracing modern sensibility. Notably, his art carries the spirit of the times, as seen in pieces such as Formless Pot, Infinite Pot, and Lotus Scent Carried by the Wind—each serving as a witness to contemporary life and aesthetic pursuits.
Over the years, Fan has created over 100 new Zisha works, highly treasured by collectors, and founded the “Fan Weiqun Collectors Club.” Rooted in a rural community, he established Fan’s Pottery Studio and the Xiwang Zisha Ceramic Cooperative, teaching hundreds of apprentices. As a representative of the Wuxi People’s Congress, he has held exhibitions and cultural exchanges in the United States, France, the United Kingdom, EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao, promoting Zisha culture worldwide. He has been recognized as a “National Pioneer in Rural Entrepreneurship,” “National Model Worker in Light Industry,” Yixing’s Top Ten Youth, and recipient of the Yixing May Fourth Youth Medal. Committed to social contribution, he donated to establish the “Fan Weiqun Outstanding Student Award Fund” at Dingshu High School and was honored as “National Caring‑for‑the‑Next‑Generation Ambassador.”
Featured in dedicated reports by CCTV‑1, CCTV‑2, CCTV‑3, CCTV‑4, CCTV‑7, and other domestic and international media, Fan’s works are renowned for fine craftsmanship, elegant form, and rich cultural depth. They are collected by institutions such as the British Museum, the American Museum of Ceramic Art, the Korean Museum, Zhongnanhai’s Purple Light Pavilion, and the National Military Museum. He has edited Archives of Yixing Fan’s Pottery Traditional Craft: China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage and published several monographs, including A Brief History of Yixing Zisha, A Brief History of Republican‑Period Zisha, Fan Weiqun’s Zisha Art Works, and Famous Chinese Zisha Pots, alongside many academic papers.
Fan Weiqun’s Zisha art pays homage to tradition, explores innovation, and offers a deep interpretation of contemporary times. Devoted to his craft, he is dedicated to transmitting Zisha skills and culture, contributing actively to the flourishing of Zisha art.
