Huang Haofu, inheritor of Tongguan Kilns
2024-01-17
“Watching ordinary clay being reshaped and revitalized in my hands gives a special sense of achievement,” he said.
In 2008, Huang Haofu graduated from a university, and it’s a time when the Internet was booming. Majoring in the Internet, he had a promising future. However, he returned to his hometown with dreams and passion. He learned the firing techniques of Tongguan Kilns from Liu Kunting, a national-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage and a master of Chinese ceramic art.
“I am a native of Changsha, and there are many craftsmen around me. I have been familiar with them since I was a child.”
In Huang Haofu’s memories, it’s his happiest time to play with clay after school.
During his college years, due to his parents’ expectations, he chose to learn the popular computer science. But in his future career plan, his original intention is still learning how to make ceramics.
“Making a ceramic is not easy. It requires to mix six raw materials, including clay, sand, and subsoil, followed by more than 10 detailed and tedious processes such as mud refining, moulding, kneading, painting, and glazing. Finally, it takes more than 10 days to complete the production process by firing the works at a high temperature of 1,280 degrees Celsius,” said Huang Haofu.
Huang Haofu has always pursued innovation while inheriting tradition. He has made many unique ceramic products.
In July 2023, “Bird Tea Can” created by Huang Haofu and his apprentices won the “Special Award” at the 11th “Earth Cup” China Ceramic Innovation and Design Competition.
“A history of ceramics is actually half of Chinese history, and ceramics are an important carrier for promoting Chinese culture. We must promote and protect our Changsha Tongguan Kilns well.”
In recent years, Huang Haofu has started to post some of his own works on social media, hoping to attract more young people to pay attention to Changsha Tongguan Kilns through this way.
“Passion is the driving force, and making ceramics is my lifelong career,” said Huang Haofu, and in the future, he will continue to promote innovation.
