Wang Liju

Lineage & School of Heritage

In 1979, Wang Liju began working in woodblock water-printing at Rongbaozhai, studying under Mr. Wang Yuliang, a printer of the older generation and a Chinese Technical Expert. In her work, she modestly learned from the master craftsmen and studied hard, quickly grasping the technical essentials and becoming able to complete tasks independently.

Mastery, Signature Works & Repertoire

Female, of Han ethnicity, born in 1959, a native of Beijing. She is a national representative bearer of the Mubanshuiyin (woodblock water-printing) technique, a first-batch national intangible cultural heritage project, and is a senior technician at Rongbaozhai. In 1980 she had the opportunity to take part in the alum-dyeing of silk, a silk material used exclusively for printing fine artworks; its production technique is extremely strict and its procedures complex. From damping the paper and lifting the forms, to applying and dusting colors; from padding-paper calendering to calendering dry brushwork; from reproducing paper-based works to finely printing on silk; from meticulous brushwork to freehand painting; and from color printing to blind embossing (gonghua), she handles every stage with masterly ease. Works she participated in printing include Zhongguo Banhua Ji (Collection of Chinese Prints), Shizhuzhai Jianpu (Ten Bamboo Studio Letter Papers), and Baishi Laoren Hua Ji (Painting Collection of Old Man Baishi).

Honors & Recognition

Today she is a backbone of the printing workshop and a leader in overcoming technical difficulties; she has also trained three apprentices and continues to transmit this traditional craft.

References & Archival Sources

1. Wang Liju · National Representative Bearer Archive

Representative Items of This Bearer

• Mubanshuiyinjiyi Ⅷ-77
• Mubanshuiyinjiyi Ⅷ-77
• Mubanshuiyinjiyi Ⅷ-77

Profile

Representative item

Mubanshuiyinjiyi

Item code

Ⅷ-77

Category

Traditional Craftsmanship

Region

Rongbaozhai, Beijing

Born

1959.05.30

Batch

Batch 1 (2007)