Behind the clay figure Zhang - Carving Out Festive Spirit

Editor's Note: Using a blend of words and visuals, this series explores unique communities and reveals the heart of China through food, architecture, craftsmanship, landscapes and traditions.

As the Year of the Horse approaches, a parade of auspicious horses is coming to life through the skill and dedication of Tianjin's intangible cultural heritage practitioners, vividly expressed across various traditional art forms. Each craft, while upholding its traditional roots, incorporates contemporary elements, showcasing the vitality of Tianjin's intangible cultural heritage in preservation, transmission, and innovative development.

At the Tianjin Clay Figure Zhang Studio, the Year of the Horse-themed works have been completed. The new series centers on the horse as a core symbol in Chinese culture, drawing inspiration from Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) pottery, the "Eight Horses" stories in Mu Tianzi Zhuan (The Chronicles of King Mu), and works by Tang Dynasty (618-907) painter Han Gan, resulting in a variety of shapes and expressive styles.

Chen Yiqian, a master craftsman and a first-level art designer in the creative department of the studio, explained that Clay Figure Zhang is known for its realism. "On this realistic foundation, we incorporate elements of expressive artistry, aiming to capture both the physical form of each horse and the spirited energy of the Year of the Horse, conveying a message of perseverance and vitality," he said.