Yeh Chi-xiang Craft House Introduction
Ye Ji-xiang is one of the few young bamboo sculptors in Taiwan. Growing up witnessing the decline of his family's traditional bamboo processing factory, he did not give up on working with bamboo; instead, he chose to carve out a new path in bamboo sculpture. While studying at Zhushan High School in the art program, he developed a passion for bamboo carving and often traveled to Taichung to learn from masters. After completing his military service, he immediately established his own studio to pursue his creations, gaining attention in the craft industry under the guidance of renowned master Chen Ming-tang. ■ Finding Inspiration from Life Ye Ji-xiang has a unique perspective on bamboo sculpture, backed by a substantial understanding of bamboo materials. While many masters traditionally carved various facial expressions on bamboo faces, he boldly hollowed out the facial bamboo joints, using透雕 (hollow carving) techniques to create playful works titled the "Human Realm Series," which received high acclaim. Ye is also adept at creating lotus flowers and has meticulously carved insects, birds, and frogs. He attributes these distinctive works to observations from his rural life. After nearly twenty years in bamboo carving, Ye's achievements are widely recognized. However, having experienced the bamboo industry's rise and fall, he feels that there are too few bamboo sculptors in Taiwan to form a strong community, and that the general public is unfamiliar with bamboo craftsmanship. Therefore, after achieving success in bamboo art, he has recently shifted towards creating practical bamboo art items using simple lines combined with the unique texture of bamboo. He emphasizes that expressing bamboo art through everyday life allows the public to engage with and appreciate bamboo products, which is essential for elevating the art of bamboo carving. To pass on the craft of bamboo sculpture, Ye Ji-xiang began teaching in bamboo carving classes organized by the cultural bureau. Perhaps keen to achieve excellence, he often intimidated many with the basic courses, so he has adjusted his methods to focus on increasing students' interest. He believes that starting with cultivating individuals who appreciate bamboo art, before diving into the creation of bamboo art, may be a more practical approach. (Text and images from the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute)
