Clay Sculpture Contemporary Change

This dissertation intends to explore sustainable development for fork art through the research on contemporary evolution of the Shaanxi Fengxiang clay sculpture. It bases on the national strategic goal of protection and development for fork art. The research reveals how the Fengxiang clay has survived in the contemporary society. On the basis of fieldwork, the research involves methods in sociology, folklore, etc. This research emphasizes that in the primeval social environment the Fengxiang clay sculpture had been an organic part of daily life and folk custom, it contained the function of praying, blessing and exorcising, of greeting and presenting, and of entertaining and educating. During the 20l century, the original clay sculpture has undergone changes along with social transformation. Since 1980's, the clay sculpture has received government support, professional attention and improvement, as well as media promotion. Meanwhile the folk clay sculptors themselves have initiated transformation. Through the process of deprovincialization, the Fengxiang clay sculpture changes as a kind of modern merchandise of the folk art which is accepted by the modern masses. This change provides a new pattern of culture industry with diversity that will serve as valuable experience for the development of the folk art, reference for the revitalization and construction of national culture in the new era.