Clay sculptor depicts life of ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang
STORY: Clay sculptor depicts life of ethnic groups in China's Xinjiang
SHOOTING TIME: Earlier footage
DATELINE: Jan. 17, 2026
LENGTH: 0:02:05
LOCATION: URUMQI, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY
SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1-5 (Chinese): WU SHAOJIE, Chinese painted clay sculptor
STORYLINE:
SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WU SHAOJIE, Chinese painted clay sculptor
"In my hands, a little lump of clay can transform into these… and these… and these.
I came to Xinjiang in 2010 to study arts and crafts. In 2013, I began creating painted clay sculptures that depict various ethnic groups.
I was heavily influenced by my grandfather, a traditional Chinese ink painter. I spent my childhood learning under his guidance. By chance, I came across the art of painted clay sculpture. At the age of twelve, I began my formal training in this craft."
SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WU SHAOJIE, Chinese painted clay sculptor
"Let's start by kneading the clay."
SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): WU SHAOJIE, Chinese painted clay sculptor
"To capture the essence of Xinjiang's ethnic groups in my work, I spend a lot of time each year on field research.
Once, a local Tajik friend took me to a traditional Tajik wedding. It left such a deep impression on me. The scenes I witnessed instantly sparked my inspiration and led to this piece, 'Wedding on the Pamir Plateau.'
To create painted clay sculptures that truly touch people, you must immerse yourself in the locals' daily lives -- eating, living, and deeply understanding their way of life."
SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): Wu Shaojie & his guest
"The raisins and almonds are real. The naan bread itself is hand-painted and entirely sculpted from clay.
It even feels to the touch like real naan.
Exactly.
I'm so tempted to take a bite."
SOUNDBITE 5 (Chinese): WU SHAOJIE, Chinese painted clay sculptor
Two pieces of work I created in 2022, Silk Road Camel Bells and Hetian Jade Bazaar, were both collected by the China National Arts and Crafts Museum (China Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum) in 2023.
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Urumqi, China.
(XHTV)