Mask making heritage preserved

Lin enjoyed watching his mother painting masks when he was a child. The smallest of her works was as tiny as a fingernail and the largest was more than a meter, which she made with her teacher, Tang Jingyue, a veteran mask-making artist.

Lin's father also devoted himself to the art form as he makes the initial clay masks.

"My first interest about Peking Opera was the stories, which mostly talk about war, loyalty and courage," said Lin. "Since it's full of traditional Chinese philosophy, such as caring for family, brotherhood and being patriotic to your country, I learned a lot and want to share it with more people."

Each Peking Opera mask can take days or weeks to complete and it was initially a challenge for Lin to sit for long hours and paint patiently. The turning of lines was also very difficult and sometimes boring for him to learn.

"My mum never forced me to learn it though she hopes me to keep the tradition. As I grow up, I've become more and more interested in it. I guess it's in my DNA," Lin said.

Lin painted New Year cards with Peking Opera roles and gave them to his classmates, which made him a star at school.

Lin's family's Peking Opera mask painting technique was included in Xicheng district's intangible cultural heritage list in June 2009.

His mother told him that Peking Opera mask painting was what she has done her whole life and she hopes more people can learn the art and pass it down for generations to come.

"I learned the most traditional and strict techniques from my teacher but as time goes by, young people need something fresh and interesting. I believe my son, who shares similar values and ideas to other young people, will help figure out a new way to preserve the craft," Tong said.

To reach more young people, Lin designed Peking Opera masks in cartoon images, printed on T-shirts and other accessories. He also gives classes in Beijing's primary schools to teach students the basics of Peking Opera mask painting.