Craftsman carries forward traditional pottery craft

Large sized black potteries at the yard of Zeng Qinghong's factory.[Photo by Peng Chao/China Daily]

"He threw me 10,000 yuan ($1,600) and ran away with it, but I dragged him back," Zeng said. He would not sell the pot, but the experience influenced him greatly.

"This may be a good way to help the pottery industry recover," Zeng said. The number of pottery factories has decreased to 36 from more than 100 before 2006, as many craftspeople closed their factories to work in big cities making a better income.

Zeng said other factories nearby have also begun to make artworks, and people are returning to the industry because they can now earn more money. New techniques are being applied to make pottery of different colors.

"It's a pity you can only make one artwork in a couple of days because it is much more complicated."

Zeng built a four-story building after the quake, and plans to turn it into a workshop and living place for artists.

"I will provide them with everything they need unconditionally as long as they come," Zeng said, adding that he wants nothing more than to help promote the development of black pottery.

Lan Jingsong, a 21-year-old local resident, has worked in the building for two month and made dozens of sculptures. He is a student of Tang Guofu, a master of arts and crafts in Sichuan province.

"I like making sculptures, and making them with such material is promising," Lan said.

Zeng also hopes to build an exhibition and experience park behind his factory.

"Young people should know about this primitive handicraft, which can barely be found in other parts of the country, or even the world," he said. Black pottery making was included in the list of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2008.

"I want to turn pottery making into an industry with cultural value, not just to make money. It has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid," Zeng said. He has been in the industry for more than 20 years, starting when he was only 14 years old.

There are some building materials on the open ground behind Zheng's factory, but his plan seems difficult to complete due to a lack of money.

"It may take 100 years," he said.