The Yemeni young man Tariq, like many Chinese, has developed a childhood hobby of playing with mud. In this episode, we take Tariq to visit a master of intangible cultural heritage and see what kind of creative works they can produce with mud.

In Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, there is a technique of kneading mud that can demonstrate the optimism and generosity of people from Northeast China, with just two hands and no auxiliary tools. That is the clay figurine-making technique of the Wang’s, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Shenyang.

Clay figurines made by Wang Chen, the third-generation inheritor of the technique, are crafted with simple and thick lines, rich and exaggerated facial expressions, and charm yet not explicit carving marks.

Figures, hawking or laughing in Shenyang’s Laobeishi, including those making a living by shaving hair, pulling teeth, selling big bowls of tea, steamed stuffed buns, and sugarcoated haws on a stick, seem to come to us by travelling through time and space. Tariq was deeply attracted by these lifelike clay figurines and exclaimed in admiration.

It is easy to just play with mud, but not to create figurines. All steps, including pinching, shaping, rubbing, kneading, and pressing, require true strength and skills. Wang Chen told Tariq the secret of clay figurine-making, namely living before creating. “The just-made clay figurine carries the fingerprints, body temperature, and even thinking and feelings of the creator. Only when integrated with observations of life and the synergy of one’s heart and hands will the work present vitality.”

Tariq was greatly impressed by the Liaoning’s intangible cultural heritage and was amazed at the profound philosophy of life contained in clay figurines. “It’s down to earth and I got a feeling of returning to simplicity when I held the clay figurine. I also perceived the optimism, generosity, cheerfulness and ease of Liaoning people as well as regained the pure happiness as a child,” he said.      

Liaoning’s clay figurine-making originated from the marketplace, and was developed in the countryside. This clay figurine-making experience of the Yemeni young man has connected Liaoning people’s understanding and expectations of happiness with the world.