Liu Zemian

CHINA, Guangdong, Foshan

Liu Zemian is a ceramic artist from a family of ceramicists who originally resided in Shunde district of Foshan, but later moved to Shiwan district. He began learning sculpting at a young age. In 1957, he attended the First Arts and Crafts Artist Representatives Meeting in China with his teacher, Liu Chuan. In the following year, he entered the newly established Shiwan Artistic Ceramic Company and worked in the Creative Studio. Throughout his career, Liu has been awarded several honors, such as the title of Master of Chinese Arts he received in 1993. He also authored the written work, Collection of Ceramic Arts by Liu Zemian.
His works continue to be creative and modern. He has worked together with his brother, Liu Bing, and his son, Liu Zhaojin, on various occasions to produce several series of large-scale pieces. Among them, their set of the Eighteen Arhats received the Precious Article award in the China Arts and Crafts Competition. Creation of the Eighteen Arhats began in 1980 and was completed the next year. During the process, Liu visited and conducted research at various locations such as the Yungang Grottoes, Longmen Grottoes, and Nanhua Temple in Guangdong. Later, he was invited to enlarge the size of the Eighteen Arhats as a national gift to Thailand.
Liu’s other ceramic sculptures, Su Shi Eating Lychee, Joyful Harvest, and Statuette of Arhat on a Rock are kept at the Xinshiwan Fine Arts Ceramics Factory in Foshan, Guangdong. His other Buddhist artworks include Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, Sakyamuni Buddha, Three Buddhas, Tian Tan Buddha, and Four Heavenly Kings.