The people of China have a long history of creating beautiful works of art from many different materials. From rosewood, bronze, and metal, to rhinocerous and mammoth tusks, jade, and coral, many seemingly ordinary materials have been transformed into some of the most intricately detailed works of art available anywhere.
China, it would seem, is facing a tug of war of sorts, on many different fronts. Many of the young people of China are not interested in learning the traditional techniques of sculpture taught in the schools there. Some of them are interested in learning the craft, but are not interested in pursuing it as a profession.
In addition, many modern artists have been trying to pick up the pieces of what is left of the ancient and traditional culture of China, including the sculpture and religious beliefs. These artists are attempting to create a new generation of art based on the traditions of the past that remain in the present. According to a recent New York Times article, "Tang Yuhan, born in 1985, nearly a decade after Mao's passing marked the close of the Cultural Revolution, said that she and other young artists have started sifting through the centuries to transmute some aspects of classical culture into "art for the new generation."" This likely means that much of what collectors seek as traditional sculpture will be changing into something new. And as more of the traditional art is purchased for private collections, only the new types of sculpture will be available.
Some of the highly specific traditional sculpture crafts are dying out in a different way, such as the craft of Liaoqi. Liaoqi is a form of glass sculpture that requires a piece to be started and completed in one sitting, with no molds. In an article on the NTD television website, we are introduced to Xing Lanxiang and her family. She is one of only four masters of the craft of Liaoqi remaining in China today. Although Xing was able to pass the craft on to her sons, one of her sons is facing great difficulty in passing the craft down to his daughters.
Liu Yu said in the article, "My daughters are not that interested in Liaoqi making. They thought it's too tiring…From their point of view, Liaoqi making is only an interesting handicraft or one of their hobbies. They have never thought about taking it up as a lifelong career." This is a craft that could die out very soon if the four remaining masters face similar difficulties in passing the craft down to the next generation.
It is hoped that the traditional cultural treasure of Chinese hand carved sculpture, as well as Liaoqi and other similar crafts, are able to survive. Out of the great turmoil that was the Cultural Revolution, something new and amazing can be born. Only time will tell.
Articles reference:
New York Times Article
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