Yin Xiangming, born in Yixing, Jiangsu Province, China, was a renowned master of Yixing purple clay teapot art. He was a Jiangsu Provincial-Level Craft Art Master (6th Session, 2016), a Senior Craft and Art Master, a member of the China Artists Association, a member of the China Crafts Art Association Sculpture Committee, and an Academician of the National Academy of Art Sciences of Ukraine. He hailed from a generation of Yixing purple clay pottery heritage.
From an early age, Yin had a strong passion for pottery art, influenced by his father, a well-known purple clay pottery artist, from whom he learned and drew inspiration. With a discerning eye and innovative spirit in artistic creation, he blended traditional Yixing purple clay pottery with modern aesthetic concepts, forming his unique style. He studied under Mr. Xu Xiu Tang and later attended the Sculpture Department of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. In 1998, he founded the Yixing Riyue Pottery Studio.
Yin's works have participated in numerous large-scale purple clay pottery exhibitions in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and other countries. His works were selected for the "Kingdom of Ceramics - China Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition" and the "China Mythology" Art Exhibition in France. He has received multiple awards in national ceramic art competitions, and his works have been collected by the Ministry of Culture, the National Museum of China, the Hong Kong Museum of Art, and others. His works have been featured in publications such as "Chinese Contemporary Ceramic Artists," "Chinese Contemporary Ceramic Art," and "Catalog of Chinese Contemporary Artists" on CD-ROM. He was also the subject of a special feature on the CCTV program "Art Sky - China Contemporary Art Vanguard."
In 2003, Yin was invited by the Sculpture Committee of the China Crafts Art Association to participate in the European tour of Chinese sculptors, visiting France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, among other countries. A special collection of his works titled "Contemporary Chinese Purple Clay Pottery Master - Yin's Works" was published.
Yins works primarily revolve around teapots, and his exquisite craftsmanship and unique design concepts have earned him great acclaim in the realm of purple clay teapots. He excels in employing elements such as lines, patterns, and proportions to convey both aesthetics and functionality in his works. His artistic style varies, with some pieces showcasing traditional simplicity while others embody a modern minimalism, all reflecting his profound understanding and insightful perspectives on purple clay art.
Yin's works have participated in numerous domestic and international ceramic art exhibitions, earning him numerous awards. He was also actively involved in the inheritance and promotion of purple clay pottery, nurturing a talented group of apprentices and making significant contributions to the development of the art form.
In 2013, Yin Xiangming passed away at the age of 71 due to illness. His departure marked a significant loss for the Chinese purple clay pottery community. However, his artistic traditions and creative principles continue to influence future generations, and he is hailed as one of the masters of purple clay teapot art. His works are widely collected and treasured in the purple clay pottery market.
