Shanxi sculptor brings clay to life

Jia has also recreated childhood memories and said that the simplicity of life in 1980s China is a source of nostalgia for an entire generation.

Commentators say that the unpretentious nature of clay makes it a perfect choice for conveying the period before the country's economic rise, when people were full of hope for the future and still able to enjoy the simplicity of interpersonal relationships and a more austere way of life.

After winning a couple of national prizes, Jia has become a well-known artist and no longer has to worry about making money.

Three years ago, he moved his studio to Xiaoyaotou, where the city government has provided workshops for over 20 intangible cultural heritage projects. The village has become a tourist attraction. "I am happy to see so many young people come to the village to learn traditional crafts," Jia said.

More importantly, when the younger generation see that craftsmen can make a decent living, they become more confident in the future potential of arts and crafts and are more willing to become craftspeople themselves.

As his master told him once before, the pursuit of perfection in traditional arts and crafts is infinite, and their future always lies with the young.

Peng Ke'er contributed to this story.