Shiwan figurines are known for their colorful and lively facial expressions. Here I would like to share with you some photos of the faces of these beautiful ceramic figurines.
For more photos, please visit the album of Shiwan Figurine Faces in Happy Bonsai Gallery.
All photos are taken during my last trip to Shiwan, Foshan.
In 2010 Guangzhou International Bonsai Invitation Exhibition, aside from the fascinating bonsai, there was also a suiseki exhibition, showing some amazingly beautiful rocks. I am sorry for the delay, but I am sure many of you would like to check out photos of the rocks in the suiseki exhibition nevertheless.
For more photos, please visit the album of Suiseki Exhibition in 2010 GZ Int’l Bonsai Invitation Exhibition in Happy Bonsai Gallery.
Suiseki Stone – 孔雀石 (Malachite)
Title – 人與自然 (Direct Translation: Men and Nature)
All the suiseki stones presented in the suiseki exhibition had very beautiful daiza. Not only was the wood base carefully carved to the details of the stone, it also integrated closely to the theme in such an harmony. How could one not love suiseki after seeing all these beautiful work of nature together with such skillful craftsmanship!
Suiseki Stone – 黄蜡石 (Chrismatite)
Title – 風山水起 (Meaning: Things will become striking, extraordinary)
Suiseki Stone – 青花石 (Don’t know the stone type in English, could anyone help?)
Title – 美人魚 (Literal Meaning: Mermaid)
Suiseki Stone – 紅壁玉 (Don’t know the stone type in English too, could anyone help?)
Title – 母子情 (Literal Meaning: Love of Mother and Child)
Suiseki Stone – 戈壁石組合
Title – 守望家園 (Literal Meaning: Guarding the Family)
Shiwan has been known for its beautiful earthenware figurines for hundreds of years. Indeed, the term “Shiwan figurine” is widely used to refer to all sculptures made in Shiwan. While many fans of Shiwan figurines are bonsai lovers who enjoy decorating their bonsai trees with Chinese figurines, others simply love collecting these beautiful artworks, admire the fine, lively details of these handmade figurines.
Last year, with other bonsai lovers, we went to the ancient Nanfeng Kiln – the oldest kiln in China. Here is where the pottery art of Fochan began. The history of the kiln can be tracked back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It is just amazing that this ancient kiln still can operate perfectly.
In Nanfeng Kiln, besides the ancient kiln, watching the process of making pottery and figurines is very interesting as well. Below is a video I took of Nanfeng Kiln’s guest figurine artist – Mr Huo Wei Sheng – when the figurine craftsman was making figurines of the eight immortals.
Unlike many modern kilns that have become very sophisticated and can be calibrated to meet very specific temperatures, in Nanfeng Kiln, the traditional pottery making techniques live on. Timbers are put into the kiln and the temperature can reach up to 1,300 degrees Celsius. Temperature control is especially important when baking figurines and pots.
Instead of depending on modern day’s instruments, temperature is controlled by the skilled artisans according to their experience. Due to the inconstancy of temperature in the timber-burning kiln, it is interesting to see how all figurines and pots are made unique even though they all are bring into and out of the kiln at the same time.
For more photos, please visit the album of Ancient Nanfeng Kiln – Shiwan Chinese figurines in Happy Bonsai Gallery.
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit the remarkable bonsai garden of 雅石盆景協會 (literal translation: Rock Penjing Association) with Mr. Wong Chau Shing – the President of Institute of Lingnan Penjing and Mr. Liu Chuan Gang – the President of Hainan Penjing Association. The bonsai garden, itself, was a beautiful place that has been used for shooting several movies and tv programs. Among the several hundreds pots of penjing in the garden, we can find some beautiful penjing by the late penjing master, Mr. Wong Kee Mein, as well as some award-winning penjing by some of the committee members of Rock Penjing Association. Here I would like to share with you some photos I took in the bonsai garden.
For more photos, please visit the Rock Penjing Association Tour in Happy Bonsai Gallery.
The design and landscape of this Chinese garden express the formless, indefinable asymmetry with a curvilinear layout derived from the nature.
Many beautiful bonsai trees 🙂
