Sixth Generation of 「Clay Figurines Zhang」
—— Zhang Yu
Mr. Zhang Yu，a son of Mr. Zhang Naiying， entered the old workshop of Clay Figurines Zhang Family at a very early age to learn traditional painted sculpture techniques from his grandfather Zhang Ming and his father Zhang Naiying. Following more than ten years of traditional training， he gradually began to undertake independent creation.
Mr. Zhang Yu absorbed the advantages of previous generations and adopted traditional techniques inherited from the family. His works were characterized by pure and elegant colors， smooth lines and lifelike figures. Some of his works have been collected in the National Art Museum of China， and he has been crowned by China Federation of Literary and Art Circles as an “Outstanding Inheritor of National Intangible Cultural Heritage”.
Apart from inheriting the painted sculpture techniques of Clay Figurines Zhang Family， Mr. Zhang Yu has been more dedicated to protection of the operating mode of the traditional workshop of 「Clay Figurines Zhang 」. In the course of operation under the name of 「Clay Figurine Zhang」， he attaches more importance to the cultural phenomenon behind it. That is， with a view to preserve the essence of the celebrated sculpture workshop of Clay Figurines Zhang Family in terms of inheritance of techniques， creation of works as well as business operation and sales. At present， Mr. Zhang Yu is the general manager of the old workshop of Tianjin Clay Figurines Zhang’s Painted Sculptures and director of Clay Figurines Zhang Art Gallery.
