On May 7, the “Charming Gengcai, Vibrant Rivers and Seas” Zhu Bingren Art Exhibition opened splendidly at the Tianjin Museum. This year marks the 19th anniversary of molten copper art, making the exhibition especially significant. At 81, Zhu Bingren, a master of Chinese arts and crafts and pioneer of “Molten Realism,” presents his first thematic showcase of Gengcai art—a milestone following his 2024 solo exhibition at the National Museum. Over 120 works illuminate the millennia-old heritage and contemporary innovation of intangible cultural heritage copper carving.

What Is Molten Copper Art?
Though focused on Gengcai art, the exhibition traces its origins to an accident in 2006. While constructing the Changzhou Tianning Pagoda, an unexpected fire revealed the myriad forms of molten copper crystals. This breakthrough freed Chinese copper art from traditional casting molds, initiating an era of “using fire as the brush and copper as the ink.” The core of molten copper art lies in “mold-free controllability”—natural flow shaped by the artist’s precision, blending abstraction with imagery to expand the expressive power of copper sculpture.

Molten Copper Meets Haihe Culture
The exhibition features three units, with molten copper art highlighted in “Molten Realm,” integrating Tianjin’s canal culture, agricultural wisdom, and national spirit. Key pieces include:

• “A Thousand Waves of Snow”: Inspired by the philosophy of “the wise find joy in water,” it captures the Haihe River’s mighty waves in blue and white tones.

• “All Rivers Return to the Sea”: A vibrant high-temperature enamel copper mural symbolizing the Haihe’s inclusiveness, with a counterpart collected by the Boao Forum for Asia in 2021.

• “The Dao of Rice”: Reinterpreting Laozi’s Tao Te Ching, it transforms Tianjin’s famed “Xiaozhan Rice” into a metallic totem through垂熔textures.

• “Burning Sunflowers”: A tribute to Van Gogh, fusing Eastern copper art with Post-Impressionism, previously exhibited in Berlin and Paris.

• “Snow-Covered Forest and Mountains”: Reimagining a Northern Song Dynasty masterpiece from Tianjin Museum, it revives ancient landscapes in molten copper.

Visit the Tianjin Museum and Experience Molten Copper Art
Zhu Bingren weaves rivers and copper into a dialogue between cool metal and fierce fire, casting the pulse of Haihe culture into timeless art. Each piece reflects his dedication and the innovative spirit of Chinese tradition. As molten copper art turns 19, step into the Tianjin Museum to embark on a journey through time—where culture comes alive in molten form.