Sculptor enlivens clay art with modern technique

Shi Yanchun, an inheritor of the traditional technique of painted sculptures, has spent more than three decades restoring antique figures at prestigious cultural sites in Shanxi province, including the Yungang Caves, Huayan Temple, Faxing Temple and Shuxiang Temple. He has integrated the skills and colors of traditional Chinese sculpture with modern aesthetics and approaches.

The Art of Clay, an exhibition running through May 8 at the National Art Museum of China, shows 14 of Shi's pieces, an overview of his career that demonstrates how he has greatly enriched the art form.