Traditional culture given a modern twist

Fresh designs

In Beijing for the past decade or so, Su Dayou, 41, has breathed new life into traditional designs and decorations with his distinctive artistic presentations.

With a background in animation and painting from the Central Academy of Fine Arts, he uses designs on blue-and-white porcelain for items such as maps and art works. After he graduated from the academy in 2007, like many art students Su mainly worked on oil paintings and sketches. "The more I painted, the more I felt like channeling my own thoughts into my works," he said.

He found his calling in 2010, when he became particularly attracted by abstract designs. "Even road signs can set my imagination buzzing," he said. The image of an ancient enamel jar in a magazine set Su on a quest to find traditional designs.