Confucius Bull No. 15 Large Stoneware Sculpture

Confucius Bull, 2021

Stoneware ceramics, oxidizing flame 1270°

20 x 30 x 40 cm

Unique work.

The Confucius Bull is the 15th sculpture in Kaibo Xiong’s Animal Series, a collection renowned for its surreal interpretations of familiar fauna. Here, Xiong captures the dignified essence of the bull, channeling its virtues of perseverance and diligence. As the artist reflects, “This piece embodies the inner strength of the bull—a tribute to resilience and steady achievement.” The sculpture is more than a decorative object; it is a spiritual aspiration, enriching contemporary lives with its quiet grace and profound symbolism.

Crafted using the knock molding technique, the Confucius Bull defies the traditional limits of Yixing ware, a form of pottery celebrated for its delicacy and petite form. This bold approach breathes vitality into the sculpture, imbuing it with simplicity, strength, and weight, while retaining an understated elegance. Each piece in the Animal Series reflects Xiong’s distinctive style—a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, offering a bridge between the past and the present.

“The echoes of the ancient and the melody of the contemporary.” 

Artist and dean at the China Academy of Art, Kaibo Xiong’s stoneware ceramics resonate with the elemental simplicity of painted pottery and the dignified presence of bronze. His refined pieces meld ancient China into the contours of modern forms, expressive of cultural and spiritual depth. Each piece, a reflection of his knowledge and skills, is crafted to enrich, rather than merely meet, the lives of those it touches.

Xiong’s approach to ceramics unfolds in three-dimensional narratives that sculpt space and evoke emotional resonance. With over two decades dedicated to the art of ceramics, his style is unmistakably distinctive—every detail, from form and texture to the choice of clay and glazing, bears his unique signature. Committed to both preserving and transcending his heritage, Xiong ensures that cultural legacy not only endures but evolves within the contemporary art scene.