As Tianjin prepares to host the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, a new documentary titled Sculpting the Soul of Tianjin offers a timely exploration of the city’s artistic heritage through the story of Zhang Yu, sixth-generation inheritor of the Clay Figure Zhang craft. The film traces his family’s legacy back to 19th-century ancestor Zhang Mingshan, whose lifelike clay figurines became symbols of Tianjin’s cultural identity.
Where Tradition Meets Modernity
Known for its blend of historic concessions, bustling markets, and futuristic skyline, Tianjin has long served as a crossroads of East-West exchange. The documentary frames the Clay Figure Zhang lineage as a microcosm of this dynamic – a tradition preserved through centuries of urban transformation. "Even as a child in our family museum," Zhang Yu recalls, "I marveled at how clay could capture human emotions so vividly."
Preserving Heritage in a Changing World
Through intimate workshop scenes, viewers witness the painstaking process behind the art form, from clay preparation to delicate facial detailing. Zhang reflects on balancing preservation with innovation: "Museums safeguard tradition, but artists must evolve." His perspective resonates as Tianjin steps onto the global stage – the SCO summit highlighting its economic diplomacy while the documentary underscores its cultural depth.
