The term "New Shanghai" has gained popularity among the younger generation in Shanghai, with concepts like "New Shanghai Life" and "New Shanghai Model" becoming more prominent. Unlike the traditional Shanghai lifestyle of the past, the New Shanghai School emerged in modern times, embodying a more contemporary and evolving spirit. The essence of "new" lies in the refined cultural depth of the Shanghai School, while also integrating the values of the era—development, progress, and innovation.
The history of "Haipai Jade Carving" dates back to 1843 in Shanghai, spanning over 167 years. Over time, it has developed its own spiritual connotation, summarized in twelve characters: refinement, inheritance, innovation, and the pursuit of excellence. The term "Haipai" not only refers to the local jade carving school in Shanghai but also symbolizes the broader "Shanghai spirit." Compared to other schools such as the Beijing School, Yang Bang, or Su Gang, the Shanghai School carries a more cosmopolitan mindset, reflected in its thoughts, values, aesthetics, and tastes.
However, the "New Sea School" is not entirely new—it inherits the rich ideas and cultural depth from the past. Specifically, the "New Shanghai Jade Carving School" never abandoned the integration of traditional Chinese culture, as jade is deeply rooted in Chinese tradition. It must evolve with the times, expressing Chinese aesthetics and conveying national spirit. I am an absolute "nationalist" when it comes to this philosophy.
Over my thirty years of working in white jade carving, the two most important features of the "New Shanghai Style" I advocate have always been new themes and new compositions. While I inherited the traditional techniques of the Ming Dynasty's "Zaoka Brand" and the Yang-style relief art, I also focused on realistic depiction of human figures and objects, striving for precision in every detail. Additionally, I incorporated modern graphic composition techniques and photographic methods, using asymmetrical and irregular styles to enhance the visual impact of jade.
What I want to emphasize is that the "New Shanghai Style" is not purely a regional art form. It adopts the fundamental elements of the Shanghai School while incorporating modern, contemporary, and emerging elements that reflect the spirit of the new era. Therefore, I hope viewers appreciate my jade carvings without being surprised by the changing subject matter. My works embody traditional Chinese aesthetic values, and I see myself as a modern artist and writer.
Xin Haipai Jade Carving Embraces Poetic Painting
When we talk about the "New Sea School," we must mention the lifestyle it represents—drinking strong coffee in the morning, enjoying elegant operas in the evening, and reading quietly on weekends. These are the images that define the New Shanghai model.
In my past works, I often chose themes like dancing stars, elegant Western-style ladies, or Shikumen women, highlighting their graceful characteristics. The soft lines in the white jade captured the charm of 1930s Shanghai, marking a personal creative signature.
In 2007, I created the gold award-winning piece "Lunch Tea," which was auctioned in 2008 at Jiade in Beijing. Another work, "Shang Ying," won the "Tiangong Award" in the same year. These pieces all revolved around the theme of old Shanghai.
Recently, I've explored new creative directions. Moving away from religious or historical subjects, I now focus on everyday life—rural scenes, natural landscapes, and tranquil environments. Instead of just depicting people, I aim to blend them into the surroundings, capturing invisible emotions, much like how a rainy day feels more poetic than a sunny one.
My work "Early Spring" reflects this idea. A boat glides through the southern town’s river, surrounded by blooming flowers and flying spring butterflies. Using the natural skin color of the jade, I created a smooth and vivid contrast, laying the foundation for the delicate blossoms. Other works like "Xitang Yilu" and "The Sound of Deep Falls" also express rural and natural beauty.
Perspective Structure Breaks Jade Plate
Another key feature of the "New Shanghai Style" is its innovative composition. It integrates Western painting, sculpture, and contemporary art elements, along with traditional Chinese shadow play, paper-cutting, and architectural carvings. It also borrows from modern design principles like contrast and dotted lines, reflecting the "Hai Na" (inclusive) spirit of Shanghai.
Since my youth, I've been fascinated by photography. I used a black-and-white camera, taking portraits and landscapes, experimenting with exposure and darkroom techniques. I tried to create relief-like photos, breaking the rules of imaging with long lenses and wide angles, causing visual illusions. This fusion of painting and photography aesthetics influenced my jade carvings, where I applied focal perspective, scattered perspective, and spatial superposition to achieve unique compositions.
I hope viewers experience my works as if they're looking through a camera lens. As the image unfolds, details hold their attention, creating a sense of depth and discovery. This perspective makes the jade resemble a landscape painting, with hidden corners offering surprises.
In 2009, my piece "The Phantom of the Clouds" successfully transformed sculptural perspectives into jade. Viewers feel as if they're standing inside a house, watching the outside scenery. The flute girl’s appearance, clothing, and background all reflect my deep understanding of Western aesthetics. Applying Western perspective to jade carvings was a bold move, making ancient scenes feel alive and dynamic.
A Variety of Carving Techniques
In terms of craftsmanship, the "Haipai Jade Carving" style is defined by exquisite detail and a pursuit of perfection in materials, technique, and design. The skills involved are surprising—fine materials, original designs, and delicate carving. Good jade works should preserve the natural characteristics of the stone: "refined but not overly clever, simple yet elegant."
Most of my jade pieces use double-sided carving, combining painting, calligraphy, and carving. The difficulty lies in the backside text, which requires careful font arrangement and engraving. I emphasize the vitality of carved calligraphy, making it lively and expressive. Some works, however, lack energy, losing the charm of the original.
I believe that true jade art must be pushed to its limits, and imitation alone cannot achieve this. I often use high-relief, bas-relief, and intaglio techniques to create a balance between hard and soft, depth and layering.
In 2008, I won a silver medal at the Chinese Jade & Flower Awards for my piece "Lu Zi." The jade material was naturally full and colorful. I boldly used modern composition techniques, leaving large color blocks. On the front, two stereoscopic raw skins were left, hiding a woman behind flower branches. On the back, three stereoscopic belts and embossed flowers added depth. The overall effect was striking, with a harmonious contrast between jade and skin colors, evoking a sense of fragrance and beauty.
With the growing jade market, materials have become more expensive. Designing and creating new themes with premium white jade is challenging. I've made several breakthroughs: first, the "New Shanghai Jade Card" format allows for deeper thematic expression; second, I incorporate modern elements like Shikumen architecture and pianos; third, I combine various carving techniques to enrich the visual content and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the New Shanghai Style.
Plus Size Summer Dresses,Plus Size White Dress,Plus Size Party Dresses,Plus Size Shirt Dress
Ningbo Ysang Garment CO.,LTD , https://www.nilesone.com