中文 
en 
Li Mincai (Li Yifan)
Li Mincai (Li Yifan)
Personal Profile
Li Yifan, originally named Li Mincai, hails from Liyang Village, Liyang Town, a thousand-year-old town in Changjiang District, Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, where he was born in 1981. He is a specially appointed Senior Ceramic Art Consultant for Jiangxi Changnan Official Kiln Culture Development Co., Ltd., and a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Gucai porcelain.
Influenced by his family’s ceramic traditions, in 1995 he became a disciple of Mr. Chen Yunkai, Jiangxi’s first Ceramic Art Master, studying sketching, fencai, and traditional Chinese painting techniques. He now specializes in replicating and innovating Gucai porcelain. His ancestor, Li Mianting, was a renowned porcelain-engraving master of the late Qing and early Republican era, and his grandfather was an expert in wood-fueled kilns. He has received meticulous guidance from National Masters Zhang Yuxian and Zhang Yinling. National Master Zhang Songmao praised him for his humility and eagerness to learn, often complimenting his works upon first sight. The centenarian ceramic grandmaster Wang Xiliang personally instructed him. His works emphasize artistic conception, rooted in life yet transcending it.
He published the paper “A Brief Analysis of Color Control in Gucai Porcelain” in Jingdezhen Ceramics, Issue 6, 2018;
His work “Huaqing Chuyu Tu” won the Gold Award at the Third Dadi Award;
His recreation of the “Snow Blue Gucai Open-Window Bird-and-Flower Plate” to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC won the Silver Award;
His work “Guan Canghai Ceramic Panel” won the Gold Award at the First National Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition, commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of the PRC.
To express his artistic homage to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC, he created the red-themed female portrait ceramic panel “Autumn Love” and the “Alphabet of Prosperity” tea set, both brimming with deep affection for the motherland—hoping that the imprint of patriotism will be deeply etched into the hearts of the Chinese people and passed down through generations. For years, he has devoted himself to researching techniques, formulas, and material proportions. He prefers to focus intently on studying and reviving the lost Gucai techniques. He frequently creates precise 1:1 replicas for museums. For over twenty years, he has never participated in exhibitions, always saying he has no time. In truth, he dedicates every spare moment to creating and preserving masterpieces of art and heritage. Under his hands, the lost Kangxi-era Gucai has been brilliantly revived. His dedication and craftsmanship are best evidenced by his works. He is grateful to live in harmony with porcelain—this is his finest solitude; external noise can never overshadow the timeless elegance of ancient porcelain. Life is made beautiful by porcelain! Following the theme “Seventy Years of Wind and Rain, Seventy Years of Glory,” as we ride the waves and set sail anew, may happiness and health be guided by the Party; may our gratitude endure as deep as the source of water; may the glorious mission be fulfilled by our martyrs; may prosperity and flourishing be unprecedented in history. The work “Autumn Love” was meticulously created to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. It employs traditional Gucai painting techniques on flat ceramic panels. He has devoted himself entirely to mastering the art of painting, rarely documenting his artistic achievements in writing. “Picking chrysanthemums beneath the eastern fence, I calmly gaze upon the southern hills; yellow leaves fall, yet cannot be swept away—only chrysanthemums bloom bravely ahead.” This work reveals the artist’s inner voice, using objects to symbolize human spirit and convey noble aspirations. When all other flowers wither and leaves turn yellow, the autumn chrysanthemum stands tall and proud, enduring wind and frost, braving the bitter cold. Through the chrysanthemum, he praises the indomitable spirit of revolutionaries—defying wind and frost embodies revolutionary optimism! The Princess Chrysanthemum, tender and affectionate, is captivating in her quiet grace; modest and reserved, she invites close examination, her delicate fragrance revealing the gentle heart of a maiden. Golden and fiery red chrysanthemums bloom in myriad forms, competing in splendor. Joyful butterflies flutter freely beneath the sunlight. At the center of a golden floral motif, tiny, adorable stamens embrace tightly. Set against several palm-shaped green leaves, each line is gracefully curved yet strong and vigorous, vivid and beautiful. The crane stands proudly atop the red crown, embodying national elegance and prosperity! Fiery red petals cluster together, symbolizing the unity of the motherland, striving together to overcome countless difficulties—like flames of burning love, the motherland nurtures each of us, giving birth to the myriad hues of individuals who dedicate themselves to the nation. The red chrysanthemum’s green leaves are vibrant and spirited—the green represents the motherland. These lifelike, priceless treasures withstand the test of time and are highly sought after and acclaimed by collectors worldwide. The hope of China’s contemporary official kilns!
para-title
TAG:
Li Mincai (Li Yifan)