Tianjin artist sculpts his way to success

TIANJIN－Surrounded by sculpting tools such as carving knives, brushes and pigments, Li Chunyu picks up an unfinished polymer clay figurine of a rabbit and coats its hair in white with a brush.

From figurine designing and sculpting to spray-painting and coloring, Li, a 33-year-old craftsman, is busy creating a series of polymer clay statues with Chinese zodiac animal themes in his workshop in Tianjin.

With more than a decade of experience in creating and designing polymer clay sculptures, his works are usually inspired by traditional Chinese cultural themes.

For Li, it was a box of Plasticine that first sparked his dream.

"At a young age, apart from watching animations and collecting animated character toys, my biggest interest was kneading Plasticine," Li said.

Each time he received money during the traditional Spring Festival, he would immediately go to a stationery store to buy as many boxes of Plasticine as he could.

"I kneaded them all into a big ball of dough and then made figurines," he recalled.

In 2009, Li started working after graduating with a mechanical engineering degree. A friend of his sent him a box of polymer clay, which rekindled his long-lost dream.

"Figurines made by Plasticine can't be kept for a long time, but polymer clay sculptures can be better preserved after heating," Li said.

Without any professional knowledge of painting and carving sculptures, he started by imitating famous works and classic designs.

"There are no shortcuts to being a craftsman. Only through practice can we create high-quality artwork," Li said.

From the basics of painting to sculpture, it took him several years to become a professional. He has since created nearly 100 works and attended various exhibitions, earning him a good reputation. Some of his pieces have since become hot-selling items.

Li focuses on fine details and always strives for excellence. For instance, to make a sculpture of Dayu, a legendary figure who tamed floods in ancient China, Li adjusted the figurine's facial expressions and poses countless times to ensure it was just right.

It also took him three weeks to carve the decorative patterns on the figurine's weapon, and a month to make the furry ornaments on its clothes.

To learn more about Dayu story, he printed out a stack of reference materials.

"Through the preparation process, I became even more fascinated by our traditional culture and history," he said.

Since then, whenever Li has ventured to different places in China, visiting local museums became a must-do for him. He took thousands of pictures of ancient relics and incorporated many elements into his works.

"Chinese culture is extensive and profound," Li said. "Many young people are interested in historical relics but might not have a good understanding of the stories behind them."

He hopes to show traditional culture in a relatable way to help more young people understand the profound meaning behind it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Li created a new polymer clay sculpture with an anti-epidemic theme. Moreover, he grasped new skills, learning how to sketch sculptures on his computer and making 3D-printed sculptures.

"Many parts that are difficult to engrave by hand can be engraved via an electronic pen. I can also modify any mistakes on the computer at any time. That's convenient," he said, adding that after 3D printing, he can polish his sculptures again by hand.

In his eyes, the integration of advanced technology and traditional craftsmanship is a good thing.

"I have met more and more figurine craftsmen and enthusiasts in various competitions and exhibitions in recent years, which shows that this field is receiving more love and recognition," Li said. "It is a great encouragement for me."

Xinhua