JIANZHANG XU

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Master of underglaze porcelain and light, Xu Jianzhang’s works are held by UNESCO and the V&A Museum.

Born in 1953, Xu Jianzhang is a master of Chinese porcelain art with over four decades of artistic innovation. A graduate of Hunan Normal University and current art director of Hunan Taixin Porcelain Yu Kiln, Xu has been a pioneer in underglaze color techniques since joining the Hunan Provincial Ceramics Research Institute in 1975. He compares the invention of underglaze color to the evolution of photography from black and white to color—transformative, dimensional, and emotionally resonant.

His work is known for its luminous layering, soft transitions, and lifelike expression, merging classical Chinese aesthetics with a refined, modern sensitivity. Representative works such as Dai Girl (collected by the Victoria and Albert Museum), Moonlight Over the Lotus Pond (UNESCO collection), and Autumn Rhythm Over the Lotus Pond (Gold Medal, 2015 Chinese Ceramic Art Exhibition) exemplify his technical precision and poetic vision. Xu is widely regarded for his ability to capture atmosphere, light, and time in porcelain—turning glaze into memory.

Works

Birdsong in the Deep Mountains

Size: 58cm × 58cm
Firing: Reduction flame 1380℃
Material: High-white porcelain
Place of origin: Liling, China
Description: This work is based on the unique outlining and water painting technique of underglaze coloring. The mountains are not depicted in the image, but the sense of quietness in the deep is reflected through low banana leaves, tall tree leaves, changes in light and shadow effects, and a pair of small birds whispering. At the same time, the unique texturing techniques such as skipping inscribing, scraping, digging, carving, filling, and dyeing are skillfully used. After firing at a high temperature of 1380℃, the painting successfully presents the beauty of the quiet forest.

Springtime

Size: 58cm × 58cm
Firing: Reduction flame 1380℃
Material: High-white porcelain
Place of origin: Liling, China
Description: This work is based on the unique outlining and water painting technique of underglaze coloring, and the traditional peony pattern is applied with watercolor and other texture effects such as skipping inscribing, scraping, digging, carving, filling, and dyeing. It is fired at a high temperature of 1380℃ to show the dynamics of the peony swaying in the spring breeze, reflecting the aesthetics of “Only the peony is the true national beauty and stirs the capital when it blooms”.

Sunflowers toward the Sun

Size: 58cm × 58cm
Firing: Reduction flame 1380℃
Material: High-white porcelain
Place of origin: Liling, China
Description: This work is based on the unique outlining and water painting technique of underglaze coloring, and features sunflowers growing in the red earth. The large group of sunflowers is not treated with the traditional real or imaginary portrayal, but rather as a flat surface. It is fired at 1380℃ to emphasize its passionate and exquisite texture and tension.