At Guangzhous Chen Clan Academy and Foshans Ancestral Temple, tons of Foshan woodcarving masterpieces present tourists with great aesthetic appeals.

Listed as one of provincial intangible cultural heritages, Foshan woodcarving shows chemicals with tons of subject matters, including birds, flowers, fishes, insects, wild animals, historical figures, operas and stories. In details, you get to appreciate the smooth curves, amazing skills, elegant patterns and fine decorative designs. For years, Foshan woodcarving has been acclaimed as a folk treasure in Guangdong.

As a classic kind of Cantonese woodcarving, the time-honored Foshan woodcarving has built up its reputation for liberating style and great durability.

Woodcarving Master He Yaohui and his students

Woodcarving once thrived in Foshan 

Woodcarving saw a boom from the middle to late Qing Dynasty with tons of woodcarving shops lining up in the streets.

Woodcarvings created by He Yaohui

During the early days of emperor Xianfengs reign in Qing Dynasty, a wood carver association "Xinghua Tang"(兴华堂) was founded in Foshan, from which twelve shops and workshops gained membership. During emperor Xuantongs reign, 148 woodcarving artisans gathered at a wood carvers banquet party in Foshan.

In the 1920s, under the impact of various new thoughts, Foshan woodcarvings themed on historical figures failed to adapt to changing times and began a downturn. By 1946, there were only four woodcarving artisans left in Foshan, including Xu Hao(徐浩), Ye Guang(叶光), Chen Sheng(陈胜) and Yang Gui(杨桂). Among them, Master Xu Hao was the most renowned and experienced.

Learn from masters and keep pursuing dreams 

He Yaohui(何耀辉) is one of Xu Haos apprentices. In 1965, Foshan woodcarving craft became endangered and the local government openly recruited 11 apprentices for Xu Hao in order to save this craft. He Yaohui was 16 year old at that time and he learned woodcarving techniques from Xu Hao at Foshan Craft Factory. He worked hard to master the techniques such as carving in relief, piercing through and three-dimensional carving. When he was in Foshan Craft Factory, he also received suggestions from some painters such as Yang Yan and Pang Meitian. His experience in Foshan Craft Factory laid a solid foundation.

Later, many apprentices changed their career but He Yaohui never gave up his pursuit in woodcarving. In the 1980s, He left Foshan Craft Factory. To earn a living, he had to carve traditional statues such as budda statues or the heads and tails of dragon boats. In recent decades, he diverted his interest to artistic woodcarving.

He Yaohui has devoted himself to woodcarving for over 50 years and his art works cover a wide range of subject matters. He has won various domestic and international art contests and is considered as the leading figure of Foshan woodcarving nowadays.

10 years to make a woodcarving masterpiece 

Artist can add life to lifeless wood via excellent knife skills. On the basis of traditional woodcarving techniques, He Yaohui absorbs modern techniques and enlarges the themes of woodcarving. "I want to add more elements to the artworks and try to make them look natural." said He Yaohui. He hoped that his art works could convey the carvers thought and inspire the observers.

He Yaohui wood carving art studio

In 1995, one of Hes friends brought a piece of rosewood from India. He liked it very much and spent over ten thousand yuan to buy it. At the end of 1995, he began to carve this wood.

He Yaohui decided to carve a masterpiece. Its hard to imagine one spending ten years in carving an art work. As for He, inspiration is the prerequisite of creation. "Sometimes I was short of inspiration and then I would turn to carve other art works." said He.

He Yaohui and "eighteen disciples of Buddha"

Finally in 2006, his masterpiece "eighteen disciples of Buddha" was completed. With over 50kg weight and 1.3m height, the whole piece emits lights of rosewood. Every disciple, in his own gesture and costume, looks vivid.

Woodcarving techniques 

Wood of fine grain is the prerequisite for fine carving. The most ideal material is boxwood (黄杨木). In addition, Qienan (伽楠) incense wood (aloeswood, 沉香木) and sandalwood (檀香木) are known for their nice aroma, whereas ebonys (乌木) advantage is its hue and sheen. Gnarled wood (瘿木) gets its name from its many knots, lumps, and snarls. Woodcarving artisans took advantage of this interesting natural form and subtly fashioned it into original artwork.

Traditional woodcarving techniques include carving in intaglio (yinke 阴刻), in relief (yangdiao 阳雕, either raised 浮雕 or piercing through 镂空), and in the round (lidiao 立雕). It costs years for a carver to learn and master all the essential techniques of woodcarving.

Source | xkb.com.cn, Foshan Chancheng District He Yaohui wood carving art studio, China Online Museum