Longnan Natural Lacquer Museum - Hsu Yu-Ming Introduction
Xu Yumiao is originally from Touhu Township, Miaoli, and is of Hakka descent. In 1959, he moved to Puli with his father, Xu Along, to work in the field of lacquer art. Influenced from a young age, Xu Yumiao developed an understanding of lacquer art early on. He later studied under masters Wang Qingshuang and Huang Lishu, and with the hardworking spirit of the Hakka people, he built a solid foundation in his craft. His works often win major awards and receive high acclaim in the lacquer art community. Xu Yumiao once said, "When creating something, you must invest your feelings; you cannot be casual about it." This encapsulates his core philosophy in lacquer art creation. ■Hard Work, Heritage, and Innovation Xu Yumiao is especially dedicated to using traditional natural lacquer in his works, refusing to mix in chemical lacquers, as chemical options can deteriorate easily. He confidently states that his lacquer works will not spoil even after a hundred years, which not only continues the legacy of the "Long" brand established by his father but also builds his own reputation and credibility. Xu Yumiao and his brother, Xu Yufu, share a common goal to realize their dream of preserving lacquer culture. In 1996, the brothers established the Longnan Natural Lacquer Museum. Besides their own collection, they painstakingly gathered information and artifacts about lacquer in Taiwan. After decades of effort, their collection has become quite extensive. However, the journey to realize this dream has been fraught with challenges. The 1986 Wayne Typhoon and the 1999 Jiji earthquake severely damaged the Xu family’s museum collection of lacquer artifacts, and their building was nearly destroyed. After several years of recovery, an August 2007 fire almost completely destroyed their factory, and Xu Yumiao could not bear to see the family business come to an end. ■Deep Craftsmanship in Lacquer Sculpture After enduring such sadness, Xu Yumiao and his brother decided to embody the resilient spirit of the Hakka people, starting afresh. Xu Yumiao stated, "I am waiting for the second spring. Many elders say this; it doesn’t mean sitting and waiting but continually working and waiting for opportunities, and only then can you seize them." Xu Yumiao is already well-versed in lacquer techniques, whether it be gold-leaf lacquer painting, hollowing, or lacquer sculpture, all of which his Japanese clients highly appreciate. Notably, the "lacquer sculpture" technique is nearly forgotten in Taiwan. In addition to the carving skill, making natural lacquer sheets and blocks requires a combination of labor and patience. A piece about 5 cm thick and 20 square centimeters wide requires layering and a year of lacquer application to complete, which cannot be achieved without firm determination. As a lacquer artist, Xu Yumiao willingly embraces this challenge. Xu Yumiao's creations are not limited to wooden materials; he also extensively uses fabrics and even hemp ropes. The lacquer hats he produces from hemp rope are not only elastic and safe but have also been tested to have far-infrared properties beneficial to health, which is an additional bonus. ■Natural Lacquer: Simple and Durable With his dedication to lacquer art, Xu Yumiao has journeyed through nearly half a century. He observes that lacquer culture is gradually being recognized, with more people learning about it, which he views positively. However, he notes that some people aim too high without solid skills and, for the sake of convenience in creation, prefer to use chemical lacquer. Over time, chemical lacquer can crack, which poses a future threat to the development of lacquer art. Xu Yumiao hopes creators of lacquer art will adopt sustainability as a principle, favoring the use of natural lacquer to avoid future troubles and harm. "Tai Yu Piao" is also one of Xu Yumiao’s significant works selected for an art exhibition in Taiwan. He abandoned the more flamboyant styles of gold-leafing and maki-e, opting instead for a layering technique to naturally express the rustic texture of lacquer, interpreting the beauty of the vast universe. Xu Yumiao consistently insists that his creations must have vitality, and this piece embodies the flowing and nurturing life force akin to the movement of Tai Chi, showcasing a perfect execution that makes it a rare masterpiece. (Text adapted from "Central Taiwan: Cultural Travel Routes - Eight Selected Routes by Craft Experts", published by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute.)
