Weixian root carving

Root carving, referred to as root art for short, is the art of processing roots, that is, the art that people show by using the natural beauty of roots and applying the wonderful techniques of nature. It is said that the root art began in the Warring States, formed in the Han and Jin Dynasties, developed in the Tang and Song Dynasties, and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Most of the root art works are appreciated by a few literati, dignitaries and dignitaries, and the people have no chance to do so. As Chang Renxia, a famous art historian, said: "Although the history of root art is long, not many people knew this art in the old society." According to local artists, the root carving in Weixian County appeared in the Tang Dynasty, and by the Song and Yuan Dynasties, the root carving had been popular among the people. According to the local records of Weixian County, the local root carving art flourished in Qing Dynasty. Influenced by the artistic and aesthetic influence of local Yangjiabu woodblock New Year pictures and kites, root carving has developed rapidly in the local area. Root carvings of animals like "people", "dogs" and "chickens" have been unearthed in Nanzhangshi Village and Longzhaoshu Village. The grandfather of Hu Shiming, a master of root carving art, was engaged in root carving skills and was a famous local master of root carving in the late Qing Dynasty. Hu Shiming collected a treasure of Song Dynasty root carving craft "Xian Weng". These works are "three points artificial, seven points natural", which shows the charm of root art works incisively and vividly. Hu Shiming, the inheritor, won the title of national master of root carving. Under his leadership, the root carving of Hanting went to the world and became a exotic flower of art in the forest of art. Weixian root carving pays attention to taking from nature and obeying nature. The modeling structure is rich and varied, the decorative patterns are natural and simple, and natural textures are emphasized. Color is based on primary colors, simple and natural. Protecting and inheriting this folk art is of great significance: first, inheriting folk art creation can improve the aesthetic concept of the masses; The second is to tap local human resources and develop cultural undertakings; The third is to highlight the characteristics of local culture, attract tourists and develop tourism.
Reprinted with attribution： https://cnlocality.com/(Chinese Specialty Products)