Biography

Wu Lizhu (吴立主), born in July 1959 in Houjing Village, Shuiji, Jianyang, belonged to the generation of makers whose careers developed alongside the late twentieth-century revival of Jian ware. Biographical reporting records that he took part in work connected with archaeological excavation of the Jian kiln area as early as 1977, giving him direct exposure to historical shards, kiln remains and traditional forms.

By around 2000 he had developed independent firing work in rabbit-hair and oil-spot Jian Zhan. He continued experimenting over the following years, eventually becoming especially associated with Yaobian-inspired and dragon-scale surfaces.

Yaobian & Dragon Scale

Wu Lizhu’s later career is strongly linked with research into 曜变 (Yaobian) and 龙鳞纹 (dragon-scale) effects. His work should be understood as modern experimental Jian Zhan inspired by historical glaze phenomena rather than as a claim that the exact Song-dynasty Yaobian process had been recovered.

Oil spot and rabbit hair remained part of his wider practice, showing the connection between his experimental work and the traditional glaze families of Jian ware.

Recognition & Heritage

Wu Lizhu is documented as a Nanping municipal representative inheritor of the Jian kiln / Jian Zhan firing technique. Published profiles also record professional recognition as a ceramic technician and arts-and-crafts practitioner, along with awards for modern Jian Zhan works during the 2010s.

Family & Transmission

His brother, Wu Liyong (吴立勇), is also a Jian Zhan artist. Wu Lizhu’s influence extends to later makers who trained with him, including Cai Long 蔡龙.

References