The figurative-plastic system of sculpture of the Northern Wei and its interpretation in contemporary Chinese sculpture

The article is devoted to the analysis of the figurative-plastic system of sculpture from the Northern Wei period (386–534 AD) and its interpretation in modern Chinese sculpture. It examines the historical and cultural prerequisites for the formation of Northern Wei plastic art, as well as the features of its artistic language. Special attention is paid to the relationship between the volumetric-spatial structure of the sculpture and the surrounding space, the role of line as a semantic and compositional element, and the symbolic content of Buddhist images. The study shows that contemporary Chinese sculpture not only inherits the formal principles of Northern Wei but also reinterprets them in the context of current aesthetic and philosophical searches. Examples from the works of contemporary masters are analyzed, demonstrating continuity and innovation in referencing ancient plastic art. The conclusion is made that the Northern Wei heritage remains a vibrant source of spiritual and artistic inspiration, contributing to the formation of a new identity for 21st-century Chinese art. The research offers a holistic analysis of the figurative-plastic system of Northern Wei sculpture and its influence on modern directions of Chinese plastic art. The scientific novelty lies in identifying the enduring plastic characteristics of the era—elongated proportions, rhythmic linearity, and the idealized spiritual image—and determining the mechanisms of their transformation in the contemporary artistic process. It was established that 21st-century masters not only quote the formal characteristics of ancient canons but also conceptually reinterpret sacred symbolism, integrating it into new materials, technological approaches, and modernist forms. The conducted analysis shows that the heritage of Northern Wei serves as a significant resource for the formation of a nationally-oriented visual language in contemporary Chinese sculpture. The ancient plastic tradition contributes to the strengthening of cultural identity, offering an alternative to Western models and serving as a foundation for innovative solutions that combine tradition with current artistic strategies.

Northern Wei, Chinese sculpture, Buddhist art, figurative-plastic system, contemporary art of China, tradition and innovation, plastic language, compositional techniques, symbolic meanings, art