He Tingchu: The First To Bring Zisha Art to the World
In March 1979, shortly after China embarked on its reform and opening-up era, a delegation of Chinese ceramic artists traveled to Australia upon invitation. Led by Chen Jingkang, head of the Ceramics Division under the Ministry of Light Industry, the group included He Tingchu, a master craftsman from the Yixing Zisha Art Factory in Jiangsu Province. He was joined by Zhuang Jia, representing the renowned Shiwan pottery from Guangdong.
With meticulous care and profound reverence for his craft, He Tingchu had personally selected the finest Zisha clay and prepared a custom set of tools before his departure, ensuring he was fully equipped to demonstrate this revered art form abroad. His journey marked a historic milestone: he was the first Zisha artist to promote and demonstrate this intangible cultural heritage outside China since the founding of the People's Republic.
Across Australia, He Tingchu and the delegation visited four major universities—including the University of Sydney and the University of Melbourne—where he captivated students and faculty with live demonstrations. His skilled hands and intimate dialogue with the clay eloqu communicated centuries of tradition and refinement. The delegation also visited local artists' studios, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas and techniques across cultures.
In a significant acknowledgment of this cultural bridge-building, the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs personally received the delegation. He praised He Tingchu's masterful performance as a showcase of supreme Chinese craftsmanship and thanked him for his role in strengthening Sino-Australian cultural ties.
Introduction to He Tingchu
He Tingchu (b. 1940) began his Zisha apprenticeship at the Yixing Zisha Art Factory in 1956, studying under masters Wu Yungen and later Pei Shimin. His 60-year career is defined by a unique style that honors tradition while embracing contemporary sensibilities.
His award-winning works, held in prestigious museum collections worldwide, include:
• Bamboo Teapot (Second Prize, National Ceramic Art Competition, 1982)
• Five-Piece Crab Basket Tea Set (Second Prize, Jiangsu Light Industry Art Design Exhibition, 1989)
• Square Pine Teapot (Gold Award, 12th National Masters of Craft Art Exhibition, 2010)
• Three-Legged Teapot with Round Lid & Double-Fish Teapot (Collection of Zhongnanhai Purple Light Pavilion, Beijing)
• Wave-Form Overhead-Handle Teapot (Collection of the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, Hong Kong)
• Gū Ling Teapot (Collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco)
Throughout his lifelong dedication to Zisha, He Tingchu has also been committed to nurturing the next generation of artists, ensuring the continuation and evolution of this timeless craft.
