[Master Profile] Ceramic Art Master of China—Deng Wenke
Deng Wenke (October 1930 – January 5, 2018), a native of Liling, Hunan, was a renowned Chinese ceramic art master and a representative inheritor of the second batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage—the firing technique of Liling underglaze five-colored porcelain.
He began learning the art of underglaze painting in his childhood under the guidance of Wu Shouqi, a celebrated master in the field. Deng worked at the Hunan Ceramic Research Institute as deputy chief engineer and dedicated over 40 years to ceramic art creation, producing a large number of exquisite underglaze porcelain works. His pieces were exhibited in more than 30 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, and Japan, and were displayed or collected by institutions such as the General Office of the State Council of China, Ziguangge in Zhongnanhai, and the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Among his notable works, the underglaze blue "Viewing the Vast Sea" wall plate was selected by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress as a diplomatic gift for foreign leaders, and the large phoenix-shaped porcelain carved palace lantern was collected by the National Art Museum of China as a national art treasure.
In addition to his artistic achievements, Deng devoted over 30 years to ceramic art training, nurturing numerous ceramic art masters and making significant contributions to the field.
He authored several influential works, including Properties and Usage of Overglaze New Color Pigments, Liling Underglaze Colors, and Liling Kiln, and published The Collection of Deng Wenke's Ceramic and Calligraphic Works. Deng was also highly accomplished in Chinese calligraphy and painting, particularly skilled in flower-and-bird themes, seal script, and clerical script. His name was included in the Dictionary of Modern Chinese Artists.
Deng was honored as a Hunan Craft Art Master in 1990, a Chinese Craft Art Master in 1993, and a Chinese Ceramic Art Master in 2003. He also received the State Council Special Allowance. In 2013, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award in Ceramic Art Design and Education by the China Light Industry Council and the China Ceramic Industry Association.
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