Redwood sailboat carvings spread Nantong culture

en.nantong.gov.cn| Updated: August 2, 2023 L M S

Redwood carvings with distinct boat features are currently on display at the Zhu Yu Redwood Carving Museum, which is located in Chongchuan district, Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province.

Redwood carving is an innovative art form based on wood carving tradition. The technique in Nantong has a long history, dating back more than 600 years ago to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).

Nantong's redwood carvings combine three traditional production techniques: woodworking, carving, and raw lacquer painting, making them typical crafts that blend aesthetics and functionality.

In the process of development, Nantong's redwood carvings draw on the strengths of various carving techniques, emphasizing artistic and intricate modeling, structures, and workmanship. The technique has a wide range of applications, including large-scale furniture sculptures and small decorative items.

"The preservation of a craft is not the work of one or two generations, but the continuation of several hundred years and dozens of generations," said Zhu Yu, the founder of the art museum.

As a native of Chongchuan, Zhu has infused his understanding of the city into his works. Over his more than 40 years of involvement in redwood carving, he has created series of redwood carvings such as "Zheng He's Voyages to the West", "Phoenix Ship", and "Sailboat", which are rich in historical and cultural significance.

After years of efforts, Zhu has been selected as a provincial inheritor of this technique. His art museum also currently serves as a base for showcasing and teaching people how to create Nantong redwood carvings.

Today, Nantong's redwood carvings are an essential part of the local folk art and an intangible cultural heritage item. It will spread the unique art and culture of Nantong to a wider audience in the future.

1_副本.jpg