Chu Lizhi
A renowned master in the world of Yixing Zisha art, Chu Lizhi boasts a distinguished career spanning over six decades. He holds the prestigious title of Jiangsu Provincial Master of Arts and Crafts, awarded in 2008 (4th Session), and is recognized as a Full Senior Craft Artist.
His exceptional contributions to the field have been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Chinese Ceramic Art. He is a senior member of the China National Craft Association and serves as an Honorary Director on the Jiangsu Provincial Ceramic Art Committee. His expertise is widely sought after, having served as a judge for both the Jiangsu Provincial Senior Professional Titles in Arts and Crafts and national-level ceramic art competitions.
Born in 1942 in Yixing, Jiangsu, the heartland of Zisha clay, Chu Lizhi began his journey at the Yixing Zisha Factory in 1958. Later that year, he furthered his formal education at the Nanjing University of the Arts. Upon graduation in 1961, he returned to the Yixing Zisha Factory and embarked on a pivotal apprenticeship under the legendary Wu Yungen, one of the revered "Seven Senior Masters" and a pivotal figure in Zisha art education.
Chu's profound dedication, innate talent, and academic training, combined with decades of practice, have coalesced into a unique and recognizable artistic style. His body of work is remarkably diverse, encompassing both Zisha teaware and ceramic sculpture. He places great emphasis on conceptual depth, with his pieces celebrated for their rich artistic conception, meticulous attention to detail, and a powerful, transcendent aesthetic. He skillfully employs a variety of techniques to create works that are both dignified and dynamically varied.
Chu's pieces have been featured in numerous national and international exhibitions, earning critical acclaim and multiple top awards. He has been invited to conduct exhibitions and academic seminars across South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Beyond his studio practice, he is also an accomplished theorist. His research papers, such as "On the Artistic Style of Zisha Sculpture" (published in the Library of Chinese Science and Technology), "On Tradition, Technique, and Innovation," and "On the Use of Lines in Ceramic Sculptural Art," have been featured in authoritative professional journals including Jiangsu Ceramics and Jiangsu Ceramic Art.
(Chu Lizhi teapot <Jun Yi> Teapot)
His works are held in the permanent collections of several national institutions, including the National Museum of China, the Purple Light Pavilion in Zhongnanhai, and the Tianjin Art Museum.
