Young Ceramic Artist
Master of Colored Purple Clay Sculpture
Gao Shuibao was born in 1981 in Dingshu Town, Yixing City, Jiangsu Province. He has been engaged in the creation of purple clay sculptures for many years and has developed a distinct artistic style through continuous exploration and accumulation. His works showcase solid skills, exquisite craftsmanship, and vivid imagery, earning acclaim from collectors and receiving numerous awards in domestic and international sculpture competitions.
Inherit tradition, pioneer innovation, Gao Shuibao combines colored sculpture techniques with purple clay, studying and developing a unique "Colored Purple Clay Sculpture Technique" that adds new dimensions to traditional purple clay sculpture.
In 2010, he established the "Gao Shuibao Purple Clay Ceramic Research Institute," where he began creating a series of large-scale works, including figurative sculptures, Buddha statues, large-scale reliefs, and sculptures, and customizing corporate gifts for various high-end business events.
After years of learning and exploration, Gao innovated in colored purple clay sculpture. Starting at the age of 18, he began working with purple clay sculpture. "After studying for less than a year, I thought I was already very skilled and started my own business," he recalled. However, his early entrepreneurial endeavors faced difficulties. "I produced a lot of products, but it was challenging to sell them." After struggling for about a year, he realized that he still had a long way to go before becoming a master on his own. Over the next decade, Gao continued to learn in various studios and workshops.
In 2006, Gao transformed traditional single-colored purple clay sculpture into colored clay sculpture, attracting increasing attention from the market. "Creating these colored purple clay works is not easy because different purple clay shrinks differently during firing," Gao explained. Initially, numerous experiments consumed a great deal of his energy, and he often contemplated giving up while persevering through the challenges.
In 2010, he founded the Yixing Gao Shuibao Purple Clay Ceramic Research Institute, which stands out in the competitive world of purple clay. Upon entering the institute, one can admire a wide array of purple clay works, including dignified Buddhist statues, large-scale sculptures, intriguing miscellaneous items, rustic and elegant teapots, refined purple clay cups, elegant literati utensils, and exquisite collectibles.
Since 2018, Gao Shuibao has independently designed and produced a series of personalized teacups and purple clay teapots, incorporating his artistic style into practical utensils. These works exhibit both sculptural aesthetics and practicality, bringing purple clay and colored sculpture closer to daily life. They have gained recognition and acceptance among a growing number of enthusiasts, achieving tremendous success in the market.
Additionally, Gao excels in figure sculpting, Buddha statues, large-scale city sculptures, mural-like reliefs, and practical vessels. He has a deep emotional connection with purple clay and, apart from exploring various artistic images, he is keen to pioneer and innovate, using his skills to open up new horizons.
Notable Achievements and Honors:
- The work "Flower Glazed Sheep" won the Third Prize and was selected by Chinese art master Han Meilin to study large-scale urban sculpture production at the Han Meilin Studio of the China Artists Association.
- The work "Coiled Dragon" won the Third Prize in the Jiangsu Traditional Craft and Art Excellence Awards.
- The purple clay hanging plaque "Tai Mountain Diamond Sutra," with a diameter of 1.02 meters, is the largest purple clay hanging plaque in the current market and is collected by private collectors.
- The tea tray "Nine Dragons Playing with Water," with a diameter of 1 meter, is collected by private collectors.
