A traditional woodcarving craftsman strives to preserve and promote the art.
At Yimu Carving Workshop in New Taipei City’s Sanxia District, Huang Hsi-chen (黃希宸) meticulously labors over a block of camphor wood, chiseling out intricate patterns with a steady hand. It is a task requiring great concentration, and the 31-year-old artisan is pleased to take periodic breaks to share his enthusiasm for woodcarving with visitors perusing his shop.
Found mostly in the form of decorative reliefs used in temples and homes of the wealthy, the traditional craft deals with a set range of subject matter encompassing animals, plants, mythical beasts and historical figures, each rich with symbolic meaning. Acquiring the relevant cultural, religious or historic knowledge is therefore paramount to the art.
Huang learned traditional woodcarving while studying at the Department of Architecture Art Conservation at National Taiwan University of Arts in New Taipei. During his studies, he realized that many of the original subject references and carving techniques were being lost to time as the craft declined. So when he passed official Ministry of Culture certification in 2018, Huang made it his top priority to preserve and promote the art.
In addition to lecturing at his alma mater, Huang teaches at community colleges and organizes workshops. His objective is not to turn everyone into a professional woodcarver, but to increase the number of people with a deep appreciation for the craft, thus ensuring it continues to get passed down from generation to generation.
—by Jim Hwang
The craft has a steep learning curve when it comes to selecting the right tool for the task at hand.
Huang is the youngest traditional woodcarving craftsman certified by Ministry of Culture.
Transforming a sketch into a 3D relief is one of the most challenging techniques in traditional woodcarving.
The animals, plants and other images featuring in traditional woodworks have specific meanings symbolizing good forture or blessings.