Kwon-Glazed Porcelain, short for "Guangzhou Zhijin Color Porcelain," is a type of overglaze colored porcelain art produced in the Guangzhou region. In 2008, the firing technique of Kwon-Glazed Porcelain was designated as a national-level intangible cultural heritage representative project. Originating in the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty, Kwon-Glazed Porcelain boasts a history of over 300 years. Throughout the centuries, it has been renowned for its export porcelain, forming a distinctive style through extensive foreign trade. With its resplendent golden hues and tight composition, it resembles a myriad of golden threads weaving through white jade, embodying a joyful cultural significance that is celebrated both domestically and internationally. It stands as a shining cultural emblem along China's maritime Silk Road during the Qing Dynasty, symbolizing the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures.
In 2001, Chengjie Zhou, who had a passion for painting since childhood, joined the Guangzhou Zhijin Color Porcelain Craft Factory, officially embarking on his lifelong journey as a Kwon-Glazed Porcelain artist. Under the tutelage of the esteemed "heroine among Kwon-Glazed Porcelain women," Huiling Zhai, Chengjie Zhou has dedicated over 20 years to Kwon-Glazed Porcelain creation. In the past decade, he has focused on excavating lost techniques from antiques, extensively studying techniques such as the lifelike multilayered flower head, color application, depiction of flowers, birds, insects, and characters, as well as delicate gilding and dotting techniques from old Kwon-Glazed Porcelain works. Zhou has revived many nearly lost techniques and images while incorporating traditional meticulous Chinese painting methods, integrating new materials and techniques into his works. This approach provides his pieces with a rich traditional flavor and contemporary vitality.
Chengjie Zhou's works, including "Bajie Breaking Youzhou," "Courtyard Lady," "New Eight Scenes of Yangcheng," "Five Rings at Dawn," "Tianhe Floating Silk," "Hunting Scene," "Zodiac Pattern Plate," "Zhong Kui Capturing Ghosts," among others, are collected by the Guangdong Folk Art Museum. "Brocade on Emerald Screen," "Auspicious Elephant Picture," and "Hundred Sons Offering Auspiciousness" are collected by the Guangdong Provincial Museum of Arts and Crafts. "Auspicious Bogu Picture" is collected by the Guangzhou Institute of Arts and Crafts.
Chengjie Zhou emphasizes that Kwon-Glazed Porcelain, with its 300-plus years of history, holds many exquisite techniques left by predecessors that are worth exploring and learning. Focusing solely on the present "bit by bit" is far from sufficient. To truly recreate the essence of Kwon-Glazed Porcelain, one must immerse oneself in historical research.
In his extensive artistic career, the sense of accomplishment when his works are finally fired is a significant factor supporting Chengjie Zhou's continuous dedication. He expresses, "Every time my work is completed and the kiln is opened, at that moment, seeing my inspiration and months of work finally presented, is when I feel the deepest sense of accomplishment and honor." Speaking about his creative process, Chengjie Zhou's face lights up with joy. He admits, "It is this sense of accomplishment that constantly drives me to push myself, continuously learn and accumulate, and grow step by step."
In March 2023, at the Intangible Heritage Brand Conference, Chengjie Zhou shared his brand at the forum. With the continuous development of the times, the craftsmanship of Kwon-Glazed Porcelain is also advancing. Especially in the realm of gilding and jade stacking in Kwon-Glazed Porcelain, Chengjie Zhou has conducted extensive research. Through color blending, he has enhanced the layering and color perception of Guangcai works while preserving their color richness.
In June 2023, Chengjie Zhou was selected for the first National Youth Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Support Program. In his studio, Chengjie Zhou's desk differs from those of other teachers. There is no printed pattern. Zhou Chengjie takes out his phone, opens the pattern of the Kwon-Glazed Porcelain vase he is currently depicting, and says, "This is what I drew on the tablet. The design is based on the decorative patterns extracted from Qing Dynasty Kwon-Glazed Porcelain collected by me, recombined and created anew." He believes that being in this era, one should shoulder the responsibility of inheriting the past and enlightening the future.
Hosted by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and executed by the Guangdong Radio and Television Culture and Tourism Center, the "Intangible Heritage into Campus, Passing on the Torch" 2023 Guangdong Intangible Heritage Series Promotion Activity. In Chengjie Zhou's studio, many innovative "things" can be seen: professional photography and lighting equipment used by Chengjie Zhou to photograph and archive his works; various cultural and creative products on the desktop, designed and produced by Chengjie Zhou himself or authorized to cultural and creative companies for development.
Chengjie Zhou currently serves as the Executive Vice President of the Youth Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritor Association in Liwan District, Guangzhou. In addition to establishing the Kwon-Glazed Porcelain Experience Hall and developing cultural and creative products, he is often invited to schools and museums, guiding people to understand the past and present of Kwon-Glazed Porcelain step by step and inspiring the younger generation to create Kwon-Glazed Porcelain works with their own hands. Kwon-Glazed Porcelain is diverse and ever-changing, with no fixed pattern. Despite the passage of years, Chengjie Zhou, the Executive Vice President, has chosen to immerse himself in the exploration of pigments, patterns, and brushes, day after day, year after year.
