Huang Lishu - Craft House Introduction
"Huang Li-Shu is the first person in Taiwan to combine bamboo weaving and lacquer art. She was a disciple of the late lacquer master Chen Huo-Ching and is well-versed in both domestic and international stories related to lacquer art. Now, after retirement, her focus in life is fully dedicated to promoting lacquer art: 'Creation is a personal expression, a dream, and it is very important to resonate with the audience. The joy of sharing the beauty of lacquer art is even more meaningful than my own creations.' ■ Crossing Fields and Exploring Independently Huang Li-Shu's entry into the splendid world of lacquer art was not intentional. Initially, she taught graphic art at Zhushan High School in Nantou County and knew nothing about bamboo weaving. During the first two months of the bamboo weaving course offered at her school, she hurriedly sought out a master to learn on the spot, and also apprenticed under bamboo weaving master Huang Tu-Shan. Later, Huang Li-Shu worked at the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, engaging in product development in the design department, focusing on bamboo products. However, bamboo has high moisture content, is prone to mold, and doesn't last long. Over twenty years ago, Huang Li-Shu was contemplating how to enhance the added value of her products. She discovered that Japanese Ikebana utilized many lacquer-coated bamboo baskets as flower vessels, which used natural lacquer, so she decided to try it out. Without any precedent to follow, Huang Li-Shu independently explored the intersection of bamboo weaving and lacquer art, eventually forging a broad path. ■ A Bond with Lacquer, Driven by Mission Perhaps it was destined for her to work with lacquer art; many people are allergic to raw lacquer, but she not only is unaffected by the natural enzymes in lacquer but also fell in love with it. After taking care of her family and finishing dinner, she would return to the institute’s factory to continue making lacquerware. 'Now, lacquer art has become an inseparable part of my life.' Her studio showcases a display cabinet filled with beautiful lacquer art works, all precious to Huang Li-Shu. Practical lacquer art items like wooden clogs, plates, and bowls serve as proof of her efforts to bring lacquerware into ordinary households. Since lacquerware in Taiwan still belongs to a niche market, Huang Li-Shu feels a strong sense of mission while creating lacquerware. In addition to teaching courses at the Graduate Institute of Cultural Heritage Preservation at Yunlin University of Science and Technology and the Yilan Traditional Arts Center, she also engages with the community to promote lacquer art, helping everyone understand the beauty of lacquer and traditional culture through hands-on practice. ■ Teaching and Research, Finding Joy Huang Li-Shu voluntarily teaches community mothers at the Nantou County Life Reconstruction Association to make lacquerware. After the 72 Water Disaster, the century-old Nuomi Bridge in Guoxing Township was damaged and became a well-known national sight. The community mothers used the Nuomi Bridge as a pattern to create lacquer plates. She noted, 'During class, both the teacher and students have fun, and some mothers plan to make a few more to give each of their daughters a lacquer piece as a dowry.' The Governor-General's Office from the Japanese colonial period left a batch of Edo-period maki-e lacquerware, and Huang Li-Shu has been commissioned by the Cultural Heritage Administration to conduct research on it. For more than a year, she has guided her students to record the techniques and characteristics of each piece of lacquerware while also researching their history and dating. She often finds herself swamped with work in the studio, but despite the busyness, Huang Li-Shu is filled with happiness."
