A pilgrimage of creativity
Inheritors step back through time to resurrect lost craft techniques that form part of the Suzhou Arts and Culture Week taking place in Beijing, Wang Ru reports.
A standout example of his work at the exhibition is a fan made with an ebony handle and golden paint in a style that was popular during the Ming Dynasty, but the manufacturing techniques it required had been lost in the mists of time.
In 2006, Wang wanted to see if he could master the necessary skills to make the fan. "I noticed some fans, as cultural relics unearthed from tombs, show a technique different from what I have learned, so I wanted to have a go and see if I could resurrect the technique," says Wang.
He sifted through pages upon pages of literature, and borrowed a fan from a collector. After much trial and error he finally mastered the technique.
In an era of mass production, Wang insists on making handmade artworks, and makes about 10 fans a year. "I insist on making every one of my works in a unique fashion, so it is difficult to make many. Moreover, good materials are not easy to find. So I would rather make a few quality fans than make many that are inferior."
Wang hopes the exhibition will reignite interest in his chosen craft. "Through this opportunity, I hope more people will pay attention to traditional crafts like fan making. Many people may have never seen our fans before, but by visiting the exhibition they will get to know the different types of fan, and the elegance of ancient ways."
Contact the writer at wangru1@chinadaily.com.cn
