Life of a Veteran Carver

Text &photos by Wang Yongsheng,Deng Huali &Kong Lingli

A piece of wood can be a work of art in the eyes of an artist.For example,in a piece of boxwood growing over a thousand years,from the unique perspective of Zheng Tianxin,could have hidden a Buddha,or an ancient lass,or even a picturesque landscape of mountains and rivers.

In his home in Yichang City,central China’s Hubei Province,71-year-old Zheng Tianxin sat,absorbed in cutting through the fine lines of boxwood,which eventually would turn into an ingenious artwork called “Goddesses Scattering Flowers.” His ease and smiling were obvious on his face.

It is no easy task to design a woodcarving,single out suitable materials,and carve,polish,and lacquer every piece.Therefore,each boxwood carving comes out hard-won.

In 2019,Zheng got hold of a piece of boxwood and planned to carve an ancient lass.Later on it occurred to him that the slanted branches on the side of the wood looked exactly like a woman’s arm.

“For an instant a graceful goddess scattering flowers popped out of my mind.” Zheng then changed his original idea and began to carve the goddess’s face and elegant clothing in the boxwood,decorated with a flower basket,accessories,rings,and belts in an artistic manner of real expressiveness.

After half a year of hard work,the Goddess Scattering Flowers was completed.

Zheng was born in Yueqing City of Wenzhou,Zhejiang Province.When he was young,he learned the craft of carving from his uncle who was a master in his hometown.In 1978,the Yichang Municipal Government implemented a “High-level Talent Introduction Program,” through which Zheng was introduced to the Yichang Carving Factory of Arts and Crafts.

The carver buries himself in the creation of his works專注拋光，汗珠滴落渾然不覺

Indulging himself in a world of woodcarving,with the help of hammer and chisel錘敲刀刻，沉醉木雕藝術世界

From his home at the foothill of Yandang Mountain to the banks of Xiling Gorge,he has been immersed in the world of boxwood carvings throughout his life.

Having entered his seventies,Zheng is now convinced that the craftsmanship of boxwood carving is a natural disposition.Over the years,Zheng has had 13 pupils,of whom only 3 remained.One day,Zheng was wandering through the flower and bird market and met Du Yuantong,a woodcarving enthusiast who happened to select boxwood there.Having seen the young man’s unique vision and excellent talent,Zheng delightedly took him in as his disciple.

A delicate image of an ancient lass born out of his skillful carving精雕細琢，端莊仕女雛形已現

At the end of 2017,Zheng and Du participated in the Hubei Provincial Contest of Folk Arts and Crafts and both won awards.Zheng is very pleased that the art of boxwood carving has been blessed with qualified successors.