In Chaozhou, Guangdong province, a region brimming with hidden talents, Li Zhongqing, a master woodcarver, has honed the art of Chaozhou woodcarving to perfection. Despite not being a native, Li has earned the admiration of locals.
Born in Dongyang, Zhejiang province, a place as storied in woodcarving as Chaozhou, Li started his journey from his hometown, while Chaozhou became the place where his skills were refined. The fusion of these two distinct woodcarving traditions has led Li to develop his signature style, known as "Dongyang-Chaozhou Woodcarving."
Apprenticeship and diverse learning
In his sixteen or seventeen, Li embarked on an apprenticeship, traveling from village to village in pursuit of work and knowledge. In Dongyang, the longstanding tradition of "Ten-Mile Red Dowry" dictates that a bride's dowry includes a set of ornately red-painted furniture, such as washstands, "Eight Immortals" tables, and elaborate bridal beds. "It's said that after three years as an apprentice, you become half a master by the fourth year," yet Li left Dongyang before completing this period.
At the age of eighteen, through a relative's introduction, Li joined a prominent woodcarving factory in Jiangxi Province, where he apprenticed under the renowned Dongyang wood carver Guo Zhigao, affectionately known as the "Minister of Carved Flowers." The intense daily work left his hands numb by day's end.
Guo Zhigao, though stern, recognized Li's dedication and diligence. He imparted not only the art of carving but also the skill of drawing. During his tenure at the factory, Li was gifted a copy of "The Pattern of Suzhou Embroidery," which he studied and replicated for half an hour daily. Within seven to eight months, he had mastered the entire process from drafting designs to executing the carvings independently.
Innovative techniques and global recognition
In 1991, Li Zhongqing first ventured to Chaozhou, Guangdong. A decade later, in 2005, he returned with a mission. "The Guangji Bridge was undergoing restoration, and a friend recommended me for the project. I successfully took on the comprehensive restoration of the Bridge's pavilions and towers," he reminisces with emotion. Under his stewardship, the restoration was completed within two years to great acclaim. "Old Li" became a name that resonated far and wide.
Both Dongyang and Chaozhou woodcarvings are celebrated as two of the Four Most Famous Woodcarvings in China. Chaozhou's woodcarving is characterized by its three-dimensional, openwork style, while Dongyang's is known for its delicate relief work . After years of exploration, Li merged these techniques, giving birth to the "Dongyang-Chaozhou Woodcarving Art School."
Li's art has since crossed borders, with a notable project in 2017 at the Tuas Tua Pek Kong Temple in Singapore. His innovative design approach sparked considerable interest and discussion locally. Despite his international acclaim, Li maintains a humble, modestly stating, "I am just a craftsman, and woodcarving is merely a way to enhance life's beauty."
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
