Page 6 - BSAM 2015 Q3

Gong Linmin,
Master Ceramic Artist
By Tom Elias, USA Photographs by Gong Linmin
Above and inset; Selection of some of artist Xiaoling (Gong Linmin) handmade pots.
There are many artists in every major type of art form in the world. Invariably, a few artists stand out among their peers for their skills, ability, and creativity. The cream will rise to the top is an old but true adage. While there are many people making hand crafted bonsai and flower pots in China today, one person has been widely recognized in the penjing and bonsai communities for his outstanding pots. Mr. Gong Linmin, a Shanghai native born in 1962, is now recognized as a master ceramic artist whose pots are in great demand. It is the custom in Asia for an artist to adopt a second name, one that they are known for in the art world. Gong Linmin is widely known throughout China as “Xiaoling.”
Xiao ling is a gentle man with short graying hair and a warm smile. He graduated from the Art Institute of Shanghai Univer- sity as an accomplished artist. Not satisfied with this, he wanted to further develop his skills in the carving arts which lead him to
4 | BCI | July/August/September 2015