Baoli'an
Honors & Titles
Jiangsu Provincial Master of Ceramic Art (2nd Cohort, 2016)
Jiangsu Provincial Master of Arts and Crafts (6th Cohort, 2016)
Senior Craft Artist (Full Professor Level)
Member of the China Ceramic Industry Association
Member of Jiangsu Ceramic Art Committee
Member of Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Society
Member of the China National Arts & Crafts Society
Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Inheritor (Wuxi Municipal Level)
Biography
Born in 1959 in Yixing, Bao Li'an (鲍利安) began apprenticing in 1978 under masters Gao Lijun, Cao Wanfen, and Pan Chiping, specializing in the creative design of Zisha (purple clay) art. Later, she also received guidance from the renowned master Gu Jingzhou.
Her works explore a wide range of themes, grounded in both artistic virtue and a deep understanding of Zisha artistry from both technical mastery and artistic philosophy. Bao’s creations honor historical traditions while embracing a contemporary aesthetic, emphasizing both form and spiritual depth. They reflect her personal style while resonating with universal artistic values.
In practice, she focuses on the harmony between line and shape, the balance of square and round, and the expression of spirit and energy. Her works are rich in external elegance and profound in inner meaning, gradually forming a distinctive style characterized by dignified grace, simplicity, solemnity, and a blend of strength and refinement.
Believing that “the essence of art stems from life, and an artist’s conduct is rooted in artistic virtue,” Bao has dedicated decades to studying, creating, and cultivating both skill and character. She actively participates in public welfare activities, including charity sales, exhibitions, and donations.
Achievements
National Awards: 6 gold, 3 silver, 4 bronze
Provincial Awards: 3 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze
National Patents: 4
Collections: Ziguang Pavilion (Zhongnanhai), Tianjin Museum, Nanjing Museum, and others (5 institutions in total)
Publications: 2 papers in national journals, 3 in provincial journals (including professional websites), and co-author of “Selected Works from the Ceramic World.”
International Engagements
Bao has been invited multiple times to participate in ceramic art exchanges in the United States, South Korea, and other countries. Notably, in 2005, she held a solo Zisha art exhibition in Japan.
