Mao Guoqiang

Mao Guoqiang

• Master of Chinese Arts and Crafts (7th Edition, 2018)

• Master of Chinese Ceramic Art (2nd Edition, 2010)

• Art Master of China’s Industrial Art Association

• Senior Craft Artist

• Member of the Chinese Artists Association

• Executive Director of the Chinese Arts and Crafts Society

• Member of the Chinese Folk Artists Association

• Lifetime Council Advisor of the Chinese Finger Painting Research Association

• Advisor of the Jiangsu Ceramic Art Committee

• Visiting Professor at Jinan University

• Judge for the Chinese Ceramic Art Masters and Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Masters Selection

• Representative Inheritor of Jiangsu Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage

Born in June 1945 in Yixing’s Shushan South Street, Mao Guoqiang grew up in a family deeply rooted in pottery art, surrounded by artistic influences from an early age. In 1958, he joined the Yixing Zisha (Purple Clay) Factory, where he apprenticed under the renowned master Ren Ganting.

With over 50 years of dedication to his craft, Mao Guoqiang has developed profound expertise in Zisha art and calligraphy. His works are refined, timeless, and demonstrate a solid foundation in traditional techniques. He has received numerous domestic and international awards, including the First Prize in the National Ceramic Design Competition, Gold Medals at the West Lake Expo and Taihu Expo, among others. His creations are housed in prestigious institutions such as:

• Los Angeles Art Museum (USA)

• Asia-Pacific Museum (USA)

• National Museum of China

• Ziguang Pavilion, Zhongnanhai

• Tianjin Museum

• The Palace Museum

Mao has collaborated with many master calligraphers and painters, earning high praise for his interdisciplinary artistry. He has participated in major exhibitions, including:

• China’s First National Engraving Exhibition

• 16th International Art Exhibition by the Chinese Artists Association

• National Finger Painting Invitational Exhibition

His solo exhibitions have been held at:

• Guangzhou Art Museum

• Chaozhou Yangshan Hall

• China Arts and Crafts Association Treasure Hall (Beijing)

• Jiangsu Art Museum

• Los Angeles Art Museum (USA)

In October 2014, he established the Mao Guoqiang Zisha Art Museum.

Published Works:

• Ink and Clay: The Zisha Calligraphy Art of Mao Guoqiang (People's Fine Arts Publishing House)

• Selected Works of Mao Guoqiang (Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House)

• Mao Guoqiang’s Zisha and Calligraphy Art (China Federation of Literary and Art Circles Publishing House)

• Holding the Teapot, Content in Life (Hong Kong Shuyi Publishing House)

• Ink Speaks of Purple Ware (Tianjin People's Fine Arts Publishing House)

Notable Works:

• Cleansing Dust (Ti Liang Pot)

• Bamboo Dew Brings Fragrance

• Elegance of Nine Orchids

• Spring Blossoms in the Garden

• "White Clouds Ease the Mind" Landscape Art Plate

• Floating Subtle Fragrance (Twelve-Piece Set)

• Hundred Blessings and Hundred Longevities Vase (Floral and Bird Motifs)

• Ancient Qin Vase

• Heart Sutra Zisha Wall Decoration

• Four-Piece Zisha Art Plates