"One vessel gains fame just for the sake of tea, and when delighted guests gather, the fragrance of tea fills the air." In the world of tea, a tea vessel is not only a container for holding tea soup but also an essential aesthetic embellishment in the tea-tasting process. It endows tea and life with a unique sense of ritual. Among numerous tea vessels, the gold award-winning purple sand pot "Fanling" is like a shining pearl, exuding a captivating charm.
"Fanling" was exquisitely crafted by Jin Lina. Born in a renowned pottery family in 1989, Jin Lina grew up surrounded by a strong artistic atmosphere at home and developed a deep affection for purple sand art. After graduating from university, she studied under Yuan Lixin, a senior-level national craftsman and her mother. She also received meticulous guidance from her grandfather, the master He Daohong. With both artistic talent and hard work, Jin Lina has a much deeper understanding of purple sand art compared to her peers. She demonstrates extraordinary delicacy and unique insights in both the design of shapes and the production techniques.
In 2020, Jin Lina's "Fanling" stood out and won the gold award in the Shenzhen Original Tea Ware Design Competition. The birth of this work is the crystallization of the collision and integration of traditional Chinese culture, Buddhist culture, and Baroque culture. The name "Fanling" carries profound meanings. "Fan" represents purity and is closely related to Buddhism, while "ling" is derived from the form of a flower, symbolizing a pure flower imbued with the true essence of Buddhism.
In terms of appearance, "Fanling" is made of Dahongpao Zhuni clay. The color of the clay is bright and charming, as if it has been endowed with the luster of life. It has a capacity of 150cc and belongs to the category of ribbed round vessels. The alternating yin and yang patterns on the body of the pot, along with the clear and tense ribbed patterns, seem to be telling ancient stories. The handle part exudes a sense of romance and melody, just like the fluttering chanting of Buddhist scriptures, leading people into a peaceful and serene realm. The golden patterns embellished on the lid and the ribbed lines add a touch of holiness and nobility to the entire pot, as if bathed in the radiance of Buddha's light.
In feng shui, the water chestnut flower is believed to have the meanings of bringing prosperity and good luck. Jin Lina incorporated this traditional element into her work, not only endowing "Fanling" with beautiful wishes but also demonstrating her respect and inheritance of traditional culture. Through the vivid and smooth design of the ribbed patterns, the entire pot showcases a harmonious and ingenious concept within a precise and strict layout, presenting an elegant, neat, and infinitely charming appearance.
Jin Lina's artistic achievements are not limited to the gold award-winning work "Fanling". Her works such as "Archaic Imitation Ruyi", "Harvest", and "Harvest · Buddhist Lotus" have been respectively collected by the Yixing Ceramics Museum, the Jiangsu Arts and Crafts Museum, and the Hainan Provincial Museum, which is a high recognition of her artistic talent. In 2018, she donated her work "Zen Rhythm" for a charity auction at Dajue Temple and was awarded the title of "Yuelai Charity Pioneer", demonstrating her social responsibility. In the same year, she was appointed as a cultural consultant by Shenzhen Yinguangxia Group and represented "Yixing Purple Sand" in international events, spreading purple sand culture and promoting cultural exchanges. In addition, her works such as "Flying Swan Goose" and "Auspicious Ruyi" have won many awards in various competitions, and "Morality", "Zen Rhythm", and "Fanling" have also obtained patent designs.
Jin Lina's works draw on the strengths of various styles, possess a unique style, combining the charm of ancient traditions with a touch of modern innovation. Her lines are simple, and the charm is distinct. As a young artist with great potential for appreciation in the current art market, she has injected new vitality into the development of purple sand art with her solid skills and unique design concepts. "Fanling" is not just a purple sand pot but also a masterpiece that integrates culture, art, and craftsmanship. In the curling fragrance of tea, it tells the infinite charm of purple sand art.