"Guan Zi Zai" - Insight of your primal self

I was utterly absorbed in a bronze statue while taking a stroll on Yingge Old Street last Sunday afternoon. This Buddha status delivers me a sense of composure and seemingly brings me into meditation …soundless and peaceful…

This pieces is named “Guan Zi Zai” (觀自在). In Chinese, Guan (觀) means “to observe”, “to perceive” and “to review”. From the appearance, Guan (觀) is also associated with the Guan Yin (觀音) bodhisattva. Guan Yin, goddess of mercy, was originally masculine in appearance prior to the Song Dynasty. And, the later image was turning to both gender, even more female form, due to the personification of compassion and kindness since Yuen Dynasty. Yin (音) literally means “sound” in Chinese. Guan Yin benevolently observes the sounds from the universe, creation on earth and her worshippers.

“Guan Zi Zai” (觀自在) is mentioned on the first page of Heart Sutra. This term depicts an insight…. observing your physical body with your heart, perceiving the sound from your breathing and reviewing your primal soul. This practice leads us to comprehend who we are, where we have been and what nature we have. Not only is an artistic conception, Guan Zi Zai but also a lesson and reference, offered by Guan Yin, for the moral practice of our life.

if you are interested in this sculpture, please email me orient.artworks@gmail.com

Blue and White Porcelain: Blue flowers delineate the aroma of Chinese culture

In Chinese, this sort of blue-painted pattern is named after "Blue flowers" (Chinese character: 青花 / Pronounce: Ching-Hua). This elegant name describes a dinnerware or masterpiece decorated under the glaze with a blue pigment. Ching-Hua is one of earliest known decorations on earthenware.

Briefly, it has some distinctive features: 1). Adoring with simple but elegant pattern presenting the essence of Chinese watercolour painting. 2). Barely discolored. 3) Stable in glazing with glory effect.

Cobalt oxide is commonly applied to artistic creation of Blue-and-White pottery. Artists firstly paint the cobalt pigment on the white bisques and then add on a layer of transparent glaze. With firing the bisque to 1300°C temperature, cobalt pigment gently permeates the surface of the bisque and creates a watercolour effect in glory blue.

Every dynasty has its own style of Blue and White wares. The first earthenware in Ching-Hua pattern was found in the ninth century, Tang Dynasty period. Its style mainly composes of floral patterns such as Rainbow-Pink or Plum Blossom. Blue and White Porcelain in large size and thick roughcast approves the improvement of firing technology in Yuan Dynasty. And, the pattern includes more elements; Historical Figure, Poem, Animals (Dragon, Chinese unicorn, and Mandarin ducks) and Plants (Peony, Lotus, Orchid, Bamboo, Melon and Fruits).

To enhance the glory, Gold luster glaze also is applied to enhance the glory of Blue and White pottery these days. In Chinese culture, Gold colour is traditionally used in imperial service. The golden colour symbolizes wealth and also dignity.

if you are interested in these porcelains, please email me orient.artworks@gmail.com