Yixing teapot artist Wu Yayi 吴亚亦
written by siyutao art team
Titles
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Senior Master of Arts and Crafts (Zhenggaoji)
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Jiangsu Provincial Ceramic Art Master (2nd batch, 2016)
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Jiangsu Provincial Arts and Crafts Celebrity
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Representative Inheritor of Wuxi Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage (purple clay teapot making)
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Executive Director of China Ceramic Industrial Association
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Member of Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Society, Jiangsu Ceramic Art Committee, Yixing Ceramic Association, and Purple Clay Industry Association
Biography & Career Timeline
Born in Yixing, Jiangsu, in 1954. She entered the Yixing zisha Factory no.1 in 1971 and began learning basic shaping techniques under her first mentor, Jiangsu Provincial Arts and Crafts Master Gao Lijun 高丽君. Through the factory’s integrated “teaching-production-research” apprenticeship system, she rapidly mastered the craft.
In 1976, she became a junior instructor, training new apprentices alongside Master Gao. In 1979, she moved to the sculpture workshop headed by China National Arts and Crafts Master Xu Xiutang 徐秀棠, where she led production of purple clay tableware and sculpture. This period gave her comprehensive experience in all traditional handcraft techniques.
In 1984, she joined the Purple Clay Research Institute and apprenticed under China National Arts and Crafts Master Wang Yinxian 汪寅仙, focusing on creative design. Under Wang’s rigorous guidance, her skills matured significantly. To further broaden her vision, she was selected for advanced studies at the Ceramic Art Department of the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts (now Tsinghua University 清华大学) twice, first in 1983 and again in 1988.
Today, she continues her creative work at the Wu Yayi Purple Clay Art Museum in Yixing.
Artistic Style
Her works combine sculptural techniques with traditional craftsmanship, featuring fine detailing and elegant ornamentation, with a distinctive, understated yet powerful aesthetic.
Major Works & Collections
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Collected by the State Council’s Ziguang Pavilion: Wrapped‑Bundle Teapot, Ox‑Handle Lifting‑Beam Teapot
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Permanently collected by the Nanjing Museum: Ever‑Flowing Teapot
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Selected for the China Contemporary Arts and Crafts Biennale (three consecutive editions): Three Victors in the Bamboo Grove (No. 1), Ever‑Flowing Teapot, and Three Heroes of the Bamboo Grove (three‑piece set)
A teapot named Yuanyuanliuuchang made by wu yayi
Awards
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Three Victors in the Bamboo Grove (No. 2) – Silver Award, 9th National Ceramic Art Design & Innovation Competition
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Three Heroes of the Bamboo Grove (set) – Gold Award, China Ceramic Art Exhibition & 10th National Ceramic Art Design & Innovation Competition
Other notable works (exhibited and awarded internationally):
Four Treasures of the Study Teapot, Divine Jade Tripod Teapot, Bat‑Before‑Eyes Incense Burner, Five‑Piece Bamboo‑Residence Lifting‑Beam Teapot, Elegant Gathering Teapot, Green Phoenix Seal‑Pattern Teapot, Six‑Piece Peaceful Home Tea Set, Happy Nut, and Rattan‑Handle Teapot.
Teaching & Heritage Transmission
Wu Yayi has been invited by the Ministry of Culture to demonstrate full‑handmade teapot making at national intangible heritage events and deliver speeches as a project representative.
In 2011, with strong encouragement from her mentor Wang Yinxian, she launched a full‑handmade teapot training program. She designed a beginner’s model, the Harvest Teapot (Fengdeng Hu), named and approved by Master Wang, which incorporates key techniques from both masters. She teaches on a flexible schedule, personally instructing students in traditional hand‑building methods. Since 2010, many of her direct disciples have obtained professional titles (from Artisan to Master) and are active in the industry.
Wu Yayi states: “Teaching is my duty. My mentors passed on the complete fundamentals to me, and I have the responsibility to carry them forward. Master Wang Yinxian set extremely high standards, she taught me not only skills but also integrity and dedication. I will devote my lifelong experience to teaching my students wholeheartedly, researching and discussing together, and remaining a true artisan at the potter’s wheel.”
yixing teapot artist wu yayi and wang yinxian
