New ideas for old art form
In 2005, Zhong designed and directed the installation of an enameled rectangular fountain in front of an office building in Beijing's Central Business District.
The floral design named "Wealth of Blooming Flowers" was Zhong's first experiment combining enamel with architecture. It received wide public attention and praise from the industry.
He went on to direct many other similar projects, such as the brazened doors at the latest Beijing airport terminal.
For another work called "Beijing Feeling," Zhong decorated a vase with detailed designs of Siheyuan (courtyard houses). Even though Siheyuan have existed in Beijing for centuries, this type of design was unprecedented in royal family enamelware.
Zhong's ideal of enamel design involves new themes expressed through new technology; unlike older designers who guard traditional aesthetics, Zhong has a more flexible concept of the craft. "You have to be flexible when preserving heritage, or else it will not be 'inheritable'," said Zhong.
Concerns about protection
In recent years many traditional items have been listed as national cultural heritages, yet despite official affirmation and public acclaim of enamelware, the craft has not always been popular.
According to Zhong, hundreds of his colleagues have left the field over the years for practical reasons.
"This craft requires patience, precision and perseverance, but many young people nowadays are not focused enough for it," said Zhong.
When asked what motivated him to learn enameling in the first place, Zhong simply said, "Because I like it." But, "It's a lonely career. You have to endure," he added.
Zhong has serious concerns about the lack of potential successors. "Young people these days would rather learn how to make practical goods, like televisions, rather than enamel."
Though he cannot predict the exact future of the craft, he still has faith in his work. As the value of enamelware increases, Zhong said he believes there will eventually be a way to make the art prosperous again.
