Longnan Natural Lacquer Museum - Hsu Yuming Introduction
Xu Yum-ing, originally from Touhu Township in Miaoli, is a Hakka who moved to Puli in 1959 to work in lacquer art under his father Xu A-long. Having been exposed to lacquer art from a young age, Xu Yum-ing gained understanding early on and later trained under masters Wang Ching-shuang and Huang Li-shu, complemented by the hardworking spirit of the Hakka people. His works have frequently won awards and are highly regarded in the lacquer art community. Xu Yum-ing says, "When making something, you must invest emotions; you cannot do it casually." This is the central philosophy behind his lacquer art creation. Xu Yum-ing is particularly insistent that all his works use traditional natural lacquer, refusing to mix chemical lacquers due to their tendency to deteriorate. He confidently states that his lacquer pieces will not degrade even after a hundred years, thus continuing the legacy of his father's "Dragon" brand while establishing his own reputation and trustworthiness. Together with his brother Xu Yu-fu, they share a common goal of promoting lacquer culture. To fulfill this dream, the brothers established the Longnan Natural Lacquer Museum in 1996. In addition to their personal collection, they have meticulously gathered information and artifacts related to lacquer in Taiwan over the decades, building a rich collection. However, the journey to realizing this dream has been full of ups and downs. The 1986 Wayne Typhoon and the 1999 Jiji earthquake caused significant damage to the Xu family's museum collection worth tens of millions in lacquer artifacts and nearly toppled their building. After spending years recovering from this pain, a fire in August 2007 almost destroyed their factory. Xu Yum-ing could not bear to see his family business come to an end. Eventually, after the sorrow passed, Xu Yum-ing and his brother decided to embody the resilient spirit of the Hakka people and start anew, reminding themselves that as long as they were alive, opportunities would arise. Xu Yum-ing states, "I am waiting for my second spring. Many elders say this phrase, which means not just to sit and wait, but to continuously work while awaiting opportunities; that's how you seize them." Xu Yum-ing has already mastered lacquer techniques, and his works in techniques like gold painting,脱胎 (t脱胎), and lacquer sculpture are beloved by Japanese clients. Especially the "lacquer sculpture" technique, which is nearly lost in Taiwan, combines not only carving skills but also the crafting of natural lacquer sheets and blocks, requiring both skill and patience. A lacquer sheet roughly 5 cm thick and 20 square cm wide takes a year to complete through a layering method, and without steadfast willpower, it's impossible to finish. As a lacquer artist, Xu Yum-ing finds this challenge rewarding. Xu Yum-ing's creations utilize not only wood but also fabrics, and even hemp ropes can serve as materials. The hemp rope lacquer hats he crafts are not only flexible and safe but also tested to have far-infrared properties, contributing to health, making it an additional benefit. With almost fifty years of dedication to lacquer art, Xu Yum-ing has witnessed the growing appreciation of lacquer culture and an increase in learners, which he views positively. However, some individuals aspire to shortcuts, lacking solid skills, and prefer to use chemical lacquers for convenience. Over time, chemical lacquers can crack, which could hinder the development of lacquer arts. Xu Yum-ing hopes that lacquer creators will follow the principle of sustainability and use more natural lacquers to avoid future troubles and harms. "Tai Yu Piao," selected for a national art exhibition, is one of Xu Yum-ing's significant works. He eschews the more vibrant gold painting and layering techniques, opting instead for a natural representation of the lacquer's simple texture achieved through a layering method, to express the beauty of the vast universe. Xu Yum-ing insists that creations must have vitality, and this piece embodies the dynamic flow of life akin to the movement of Tai Chi, showcasing life in a harmonious manner, rendering it an exceptional work.
