Wood carving is a bright pearl in the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, and it is also a intangible cultural heritage with a long history. On July 4, more than 40 pieces of fine wood carvings appeared in Nanjing Folk Museum, covering art styles such as statues and study rooms.
Wood carving is known as China's "folk craft". It is a craft form of carving and processing with various kinds of wood and tree roots as raw materials. It is called "the art of life".
Curator Wang Zhong: as a bright pearl in the traditional culture of the Chinese nation, wood carving is also a long-standing intangible cultural heritage. This time, we launched more than 40 pieces of wood carving boutiques. We hope that through this exhibition, we can show you the artistry of wood carving, including its beauty.
Visitor Ms. Zhang: I think it's very exquisite. They (ancients) are very good at putting a lot of energy and thought into the small things used in life, and making them very exquisite.
[narration] the reporter then visited the "wood carving studio" of the museum. In front of the camera, Chang Huijun, the inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, is making wood carving techniques. At the scene, she showed her skillful carving skills to reporters.
[synch] Chang Huijun, the inheritor of wood carving
Wood carving originated in the Neolithic Age of our country. It has a history of more than 7000 years. In the Tang and Song Dynasties, wood carving has developed perfectly. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties of our country, it was generally used in furniture wood carving or architectural wood carving. One of the wood carvings in Nanjing is the antique one, and the other is the wood carvings of our on-site portraits.
[narration] in Chang Huijun's hand, a cuboid wood block the size of a palm can complete a work in 30 minutes at most. Chang Huijun told reporters that wood carving is a kind of work separated from woodworking, which can be divided into three types: three-dimensional round carving, root carving and relief carving. In the selection of wood carving materials, there are certain stresses.
[synch] Chang Huijun, the inheritor of wood carving
The material selection of wood carving is generally the wood that is delicate, hard and not easy to crack. For example, the Catalpa wood, mahogany, camphor wood, Sabina and willow can be suitable for carving. Carving is divided into rough carving, fine carving and fine carving, followed by polishing, waxing and (other) several processes. (because) wood carving is subtraction (Art), which can only be reduced but not added. So when we carve, we will be very careful until the finished product.
[narration] at the age of 6, Chang Huijun said she came into contact with the craft of wood carving under her father's influence. Then, because of her interest, the carving knife in her hand accompanied Chang Huijun all the time. She devoted herself to the craft of wood carving.
[synch] Chang Huijun, the inheritor of wood carving
It's a manual work to make wood carving, and it's also half a carpenter. Wood originally has life and rings. It's older by one circle. It has life and rings. We create one piece of wood carving by using carving knife and our hands. I like this industry from my heart and will always insist on doing it.