Biography

Xu Guoqing (徐国清), born in 1977 in Guiyuan Village, Xiaohu Town, Jianyang, is a contemporary Jian Zhan artist known for highly visible crystalline patterning and unusually vivid color. Artist biographical material describes childhood visits to Chizhong Village near the historic Jian kiln area, where he collected and studied old Jian ware fragments before later turning to forming, glaze and firing research.

Glazes & Named Series

Xu Guoqing’s work spans several strongly documented contemporary series. 深海 (Deep Sea) is associated with deep cobalt and violet tones; 蓝精灵 (Blue Smurf) with vivid blue crystalline surfaces; 红日 (Red Sun) with warmer red and copper-like color; 雀翎 (Sparrow Feather) with feather-like crystalline development; and 虹曜 (Hongyao) with iridescent halo effects. Oil-spot Jian Zhan remains a major technical foundation across the wider body of work.

Dragon Kiln & Firing

Artist materials also document the Xu Guoqing Dragon Kiln (徐国清龙窑). His work is not limited to one firing method: collector documentation includes both controlled contemporary firing and dragon-kiln wood-fired pieces. For that reason, firing method should be recorded at the level of the individual object when its certificate or provenance is available.

2018 Minyi Cup

In September 2018, Xu Guoqing’s work 《和尚点》 received a Bronze Award in the Jian Zhan category of the Third Fujian Province Minyi Cup Ceramic Art Creative Design Competition. The result is listed by the Fujian Ceramic Industry Association.

Marks & Identification

Xu Guoqing pieces can vary dramatically in color and crystal size. The foot, maker mark, clay body, certificate and packaging are therefore especially important for attribution.

References