About the Artist: Li Yunhua (黎韵华)

Li Yunhua is a master female craftswoman from Jianyang, honored as a representative of intangible cultural heritage and recognized in Nanping’s second Folk Arts & Crafts Exhibition. With decades of experience in Jian ware production and restoration, she is one of the most respected female figures in the contemporary revival of Jian Zhan.

Having grown up surrounded by Jian kiln culture, Li Yunhua developed a deep love for black-glazed wares early in life. She entered the Jianyang Porcelain Factory in 1965, gaining hands-on experience in a wide range of ceramic techniques. Over time, she became a pillar in the restoration team for Jian Zhan, working alongside masters to preserve and revitalize ancient firing methods.

She is especially skilled in both traditional dual-hand shaping and modern firing innovations. Her works demonstrate graceful form, elegant restraint, and poetic texture — often carrying glaze names rooted in nature, beauty, and cultural symbolism. She has fully mastered firing techniques from 1979 to the present, and is a leading figure among Jian ware craftswomen.

Signature Glazes

• 七彩宝石 (Seven-Colored Gem) – A lustrous, gem-like glaze that sparkles with rainbow tones.
• 千山暮雪 (Snowfall Over Mountains) – Evoking distant mountains in twilight snow.
• 金丝兔毫 (Golden Hare’s Fur) – Classic streaks of golden fur on dark glaze.
• 紫花似锦 (Purple Flowers Like Brocade) – Iridescent patterns reminiscent of embroidered silk.
• 精彩人生 (A Brilliant Life) – Vivid flame-like bursts representing passion and purpose.
  “日出有盼，日落有念，心有所朝，忙而不茫。”
• 徽雪寒露 (Huizhou Snow & Cold Dew) – Reflective and ethereal with poetic imagery:
  “江山如画，美人如诗；娉婷世界，步步生莲。”
• 一叶知秋 (A Leaf Knows Autumn) – Glazed cups bearing real leaf impressions, rich with seasonal symbolism.
• 五谷丰登 (Abundant Harvest) – A speckled surface symbolizing plentiful grain and prosperity.
• 玄曜 (Mystic Black) – Deep, mirror-like black suggesting stillness and depth.
• 异变釉壶 (Transformed Glaze Bowl) – Organic transitions in tone and pattern through experimental firings.
• 落雪冬壶 / 落雪春壶 – Glazes representing winter and spring snowfall.
• 赤兔夏壶 (Red Hare Summer Bowl) – Warm crimson glazes symbolizing vitality and heat.

As a lifelong ceramicist, Li Yunhua is known not only for her technical mastery but also for her humility and perseverance. She avoids seeking fame or gain, instead pouring her heart into every piece. Her legacy is one of quiet excellence — an artisan who has preserved the essence of Jian Zhan while carrying it confidently into the future.