LIANG HUAFU(1905 – 2005)
Liang Huafu, courtesy name Rong, was a renowned ceramic artist from Shiwan, Guangdong Province. Born into a family of potters, he faced early hardships and left school due to poverty. At 13, he began working and travelled through Guangzhou and Hong Kong. He studied Chinese painting and took on commercial work in Hong Kong. Returning to Shiwan at 30, he established his own pottery studio, Tsui Shek Studio (Zuishi Xuan), building on his father’s foundation and launching his distinguished career in pottery art.
L i an g ma s t e r e d th e f o u r essential elements of pottery – craftsmanship, clay shaping, glaze formulation, and firing. Particularly, he innovated and refined various traditional glaze colours, including the striking ‘imitation Jun glaze’ and ‘green lake glaze.’ His iconic vase in green lake glaze, displayed in the Guangdong Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, solidified his status as a master of Shiwan ceramics. His works, known for their expressive figures and glaze colour variations, were highly sought after by collectors domestically and internationally.
A dedicated educator at the Shiwan Ceramic School, Liang mentored many young artists, leaving a lasting impact on the field. His deep knowledge and contributions earned him the title the ‘Living Dictionary of Shiwan Ceramics.’ His legacy continues to inspire and shape the future of Shiwan ceramics.