Email:

yanshu615@163.com

Title

Tenured Associate Professor

Education Background

2001: Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Art Theory and History from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

2004: Graduated with a Master’s degree in Art History and Theory from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

2007: Graduated with a Ph.D. in Art History and Theory from the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Work Experience

2007-2009: Postdoctoral Researcher, Tsinghua University

2012-2013: Visiting Scholar at the University of Oxford, UK

2009-Present: Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University

Social Services

Specially Appointed Review Expert for The Complete Collection of Chinese Arts and Crafts

Research Interests

History of Ancient Chinese Arts and Crafts, Contemporary Arts and Crafts, and Intangible Cultural Heritage Preservation

Academic Claims

She is dedicated to the study of the history of ancient Chinese arts and crafts, advocating for a comprehensive and systematic approach that combines the collection and organization of physical artifacts with textual sources, so as to show the characteristics of ancient Chinese arts and crafts across different historical periods, and further analyze artistic features, elaborate on historical evolution, and discuss developmental trajectories and stylistic transformations. She values both a macro-level analysis of historical developments and in-depth case studies. By examining artifacts, she seeks to understand the people behind them and explore the relationship between objects and the material culture of their time. Within a broad academic framework, she investigates ancient societies and the ingenuity of craftsmanship, aiming to trace aesthetic evolution, uncover artistic principles, and assess the successes and shortcomings of historical practices. Grounded in a deep understanding of traditional craft culture, her research offers valuable insights and guidance for contemporary arts and crafts as well as design practice.

Academic Achievements

Her research focuses particularly on the arts and crafts history of the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, as well as the Song, Liao, and Jin periods. She advocates for first grasping the overall characteristics of an era and clarifying stylistic transitions, before delving into specific details and conducting case studies. She insists on a materials-based approach, constructing art history through the combined analysis of physical objects, images, and textual sources. Emphasizing the relationship between objects and people, she strives to uncover the deeper cultural contexts behind artifacts.

She has published over 20 academic papers in core and professional journals such as ZHUANGSHI, Palace Museum Journal, Journal of Gugong Studies, Research of Chinese Fine Arts, and Art Observation. Her major publications include The General History of Chinese Silk (co-authored) and Chinese Culture and Civilization: Chinese Silks (co-authored).

She has led several major research projects, including the 2019 Ministry of Science and Technology’s humanities and social sciences project “Research on the Arts and Crafts History of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties;” the “Application of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Nantong Blue Calico in Cultural and Creative Design” project commissioned by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2016; and the 2012 National Social Science Fund Art Project “Utensils and Daily Life: A Case Study of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties.” She is the executive editor for The Complete Collection of Chinese Arts and Crafts • History Volume • History of Chinese Silk. She led the Tsinghua University Humanities Revitalization Fund projects, including the Arts and Crafts History Database of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties and Design and Life in China from the 10th to the 13th Century. She participated in the 2019 Ministry of Science and Technology Project “Technology Integration and Application Demonstration of Chinese-Style Cultural Creativity and Intelligent Product Design” (Subproject 1); the 2011 National Social Science Fund Art Project “Arts and Crafts History Database of Han and Tang Dynasties;” the 2004 National Social Science Fund Art Project “Arts and Crafts History of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties;” and the 2001 Ministry of Education’s Humanities and Social Sciences Project “Research on Arts and Crafts of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties.”

Scientific Research Projects

Research on the Arts and Crafts History of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties, humanities and social sciences project of the Ministry of Education, in process, project head

Application of National Intangible Cultural Heritage Nantong Blue Calico in Cultural and Creative Design, commissioned by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, completed, project head

Utensils and Daily Life: A Case Study of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties, art project of the National Social Science Fund of China, completed, project head

The Complete Collection of Chinese Arts and Crafts • History Volume • History of Chinese Silk, executive editor, in process, project head

Arts and Crafts History Database of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties, and Design and Life in China from the 10th to the 13th Century, projects of the Tsinghua University Humanities and Social Sciences Revitalization Fund, completed, project head

Technology Integration and Application Demonstration of Chinese-Style Cultural Creativity and Intelligent Product Design (Subproject 1 Research on Design Standards and Guidelines Based on Chinese Aesthetic Features and Human Factors Engineering), project of the Ministry of Science and Technology, in process, main participant

Arts and Crafts History Database of Han and Tang Dynasties, art project of the National Social Science Fund of China, completed, main participant

Arts and Crafts History of the Song, Liao, and Jin Dynasties, art project of the National Social Science Fund of China, completed, main participant

Research on Arts and Crafts of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, humanities and social sciences project of the Ministry of Education, completed, main participant

Main Awards

In 2009, the course History of Chinese Arts and Crafts that she taught was recognized as the “Beijing Quality Course” and “National Quality Course.”

Teaching

In her teaching, she emphasizes clarity and organization, highlighting key concepts and ensuring the accuracy of knowledge while integrating the latest research advancements. Through a series of exercises, she fosters students' ability to self-learn and conduct research, strengthening their foundation for scientific research. Undergraduate courses: History of Chinese Arts and Crafts and Design, Chronological History of Chinese Arts and Crafts (2), Utensils and Life: Chinese Ancient Craft Culture, Professional Writing, Professional Investigation, History of Chinese and Western Art, and others. In recent years, she has supervised 9 graduate students and 2 doctoral students. 4 of her graduate students have successfully graduated.