Zhang Qin Master Craft Artist
National Vocational Skill Level 1/Senior Technician
Zhang Qin, a native of Huai’an, Jiangsu Province, graduated from Nanjing Normal University and is now a certified Craft Artist, Senior Technician, and Visiting Professor at Yangzhou Polytechnic Institute. In 1996, she joined the Yixing Zisha Pottery Factory #1 and became a disciple of Ni Shunsheng, a third-generation successor of the renowned Republic-era master Yu Guoliang, a research-grade Senior Craft Artist, and a Jiangsu Provincial Master of Arts and Crafts. With over three decades dedicated to designing and crafting Yixing teapots, Zhang has developed a distinctive personal style.
Her approach emphasizes innovation in both form and technique, specializing in the integration of bamboo culture into the art of Zisha teapot making. She prioritizes practical functionality, refining details such as the triangular water outlet to achieve what is known in the trade as “a steady stream of water with a silent fall”—a unique feature that enhances the tea-drinking experience, offering users both comfort and a sense of effortless enjoyment.
Throughout her career, Zhang has adhered to the principle that “a teapot must serve well.” Guided by a deep sense of responsibility as a Zisha artist, she remains committed to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Yixing pottery.
