Basic Introduction to Huishan Clay Figurines
Huishan clay figurines are one of the three renowned local specialties of Wuxi. Local artists in Wuxi extract black clay from beneath the ground (about one meter below) at the foot of the northeast slope of Mount Huishan. This clay is characterized by its fine and soft texture, it doesn't crack when twisted, doesn't break when bent, and doesn't split when dry, making it highly malleable and ideal for sculpting. Over several hundred years, Huishan clay figurines have been nurtured by artisans who have preserved traditions while continuously innovating, giving birth to a marvelously intricate and vibrant folk art culture. They are characterized by full-bodied forms, smooth lines, vivid colors, lively expressions, and are appreciated by both the refined and the common.
Product Characteristics
The themes of Huishan clay figurines are rich and varied, their craftsmanship exquisite, their depictions lifelike, and they are enjoyed by both the refined and the common. The products can be divided into two main categories: one type consists of hand-sculpted clay figurines, which are ingeniously conceived and finely crafted. Guo Moruo praised them with the words “figures ancient or modern, emerge from the hands in a moment.” These are considered high-quality works of art with considerable aesthetic and collection value; the other category includes clay figurines and plaster crafts made in molds, produced in large quantities and sold at affordable prices.
Historical Folklore
For centuries, the foot of Mount Huishan, beside Lake Taihu in Wuxi, China, has been known for its clay figurines. In Volume Seven of *Memories of Tao'an* (“Foolish Old Man's Valley”), there is a passage that reads, “Five li north of Wuxi County is Mount Ming (Tin); crossing the bridge, shops line the shore, selling spring wine… clay figurines, and so on.” This is the earliest written record we have found, indicating that Huishan clay figurines have a history of over a thousand years.
The representative work of Huishan clay figurines, “Big Ah Fu,” is based on a folk legend and represents an endearing image of a robust child deified by the people, primarily symbolizing the warding off of evil and the bestowal of blessings. There are also exquisite hand-sculpted theatrical figures derived from Peking opera, Kunqu opera, local operas, and myths and legends. In recent years, clay figurine artists have created new generations of figurines based on real-life images, imbuing them with lifelike expressions and vividness. With its unique artistic style, Huishan clay figurines are undoubtedly one of the most oriental folk arts, rich in charm.
Manufacturing Methods
(1) High relief is used to handle some prominent contours, unlike sculpture, which emphasizes planes and volume.
(2) Thick yet thin or thin yet thick clothing creases, a clever technique commonly used in Huishan clay figurines.
(3) Incised lines and patterns are handled using shallow carving methods.
(4) Compositions are handled by compressing towards the center of the sculpture.
(5) Human proportions are shortened, with emphasis on the primary parts.
(6) Outer contour lines are softly curved to form as much of a rounded shape as possible. These artistic handling techniques constitute the distinct personality and unique artistic style of Huishan clay figurines in terms of modeling.