◎Yutian clay sculpture (a national intangible cult...
Clay sculpture is a kind of folk handicraft and an ancient Han folk art. Artisans use clay as raw material to make various figures by hand kneading. The colors are either plain or rich, and the figures are mainly in the shape of people and animals. Tangshan clay sculpture has a long history, and its art pieces range from large sculpture groups to small clay figurines, in various forms and styles, among which Yutian clay figurines are the most famous.
Yutian is located in the west of Tangshan, at the southern foot of the Yanshan Mountain, adjacent to Beijing, Tianjin, and Tangshan. It got its name from the legend about “the ancient people planting jade.” Yutian clay sculpture has a history of more than 200 years. Its producing area is mainly located in several villages such as Daijia and Xigao, which are two neighboring villages. Its terrain is flat, its soil is brown and moist. The clay is soft and delicate, dry but does not crack easily, and the clay resources are uniquely endowed.(https://www.daowen.com)
In terms of the production process of Yutian clay sculptures, there are roughly eight processes including preparing clay, adding water, kneading clay, making clay mould, closing mould and fixing flute, dressing and drying, laying white powder base, adjusting glue and applying color. Yutian clay sculptures are mainly clay toys. Traditional varieties are legendary figures and tales such as Sun Wukong, flowery tiger, Qin Qiong, Kirin Deliveries, and they look childish and interesting, with simple and wonderful shapes, as well as bright and eye-catching colors that are usually strikingly different but harmonious together. In addition, Yutian clay sculptures also include the ornaments on the table. Most of them are figures from fairy tales, historical romances and drama stories, such as Magu's Birthday Offering, The Eight Immortals, and The Drunken Concubine. Tumbler is also a kind of Yutian clay sculptures. The lower part of the tumbler is made of semi-circular mud and the upper part is made of pulp and plaster. The top is light and the bottom is heavy. Even if you shake it, it won't fall down. The shape is cute and lovely.
The basic characteristics of Yutian clay figurines are as follows: First, the shape is exaggerated, the lines are simple and clumsy, and the body is enchanting and childish, which is a bit like the style of Tang Dynasty pottery figurines. Second, in the aspect of painting, the main color is painted with iron pen. The colors are rough and bold. The coloring of dots, lines and surfaces is natural, and the color contrast is vivid. It combines the characteristics of vulgar and elegant art. Third, there is a device with a flute, which gives the sculpture fresh vitality. It has the uniqueness of onomatopoeia to express objective things. The blowholes of half-color clay figurines are generally set on the back of the clay figures, and those of full-color sculptures are generally on the side, and the sound holes are all on the bottom of the clay figurines. The sound made by blowing holes through the mouth is endlessly memorable.