Lacquer carver finds way to pass on skills-iHebei-长城网

Lacquer carver finds way to pass on skills

Jul 11,2022 China Daily

Zhu Qingyuan, a lacquer carver in Gu'an county of Langfang, Hebei province, works on a piece at home in Nansong village. (Photo by Men Congshuo/For chinadaily.com.cn)

A lacquer carving artist in Gu'an county of Langfang, Hebei province, has nurtured a dozen craftsmen to carry out his dream of passing down his traditional skills.

Zhu Qingyuan, who is in his 70s, has a workroom at his home in Nansong village. He has been dedicated to the art since the 1980s, when he went to neighboring Beijing to learn.

Zhu Qingyuan, a lacquer carver in Gu'an county of Langfang, Hebei province, works on a piece at home in Nansong village. (Photo by Men Congshuo/For chinadaily.com.cn)

"A piece of carved lacquer ware needs at least half a year. A delicate one may need more than three years," he said, adding that dozens of procedures are needed for one completed work of art, including coating and carving.

"Nowadays, young people find little interest in the art. But as long as you concentrate on it, one can always find a reason to keep on doing it," he said.

Zhu Qingyuan, a lacquer carver in Gu'an county of Langfang, Hebei province, works on a piece at home in Nansong village. (Photo by Men Congshuo/For chinadaily.com.cn)