Yeh Ji-chang Craft House Introduction
Ye Ji-hsiang is one of the few young bamboo sculptors in the country. When he was a child, he witnessed the decline of his family's traditional bamboo processing factory, but instead of giving up on working with bamboo, he chose to open up a new path in bamboo carving. While studying in the Department of Fine Arts at Zhushan High School, he developed a deep interest in bamboo carving and often traveled to Taichung to learn from masters. After completing his military service, he immediately established a studio to engage in creation, and under the guidance of renowned master Chen Ming-tang, his works quickly gained recognition in the craft community. From Life Finds Inspiration Ye Ji-hsiang has a considerable understanding of bamboo materials and possesses a unique perspective in bamboo carving. Regarding the use of bamboo for human faces, past masters often carved various expressions, while he boldly hollowed out the bamboo knots of the face and utilized透雕 technique to create amusing works of singing figures, naming the series "Human Realm," which received high praise. Ye Ji-hsiang is also skilled in lotus flower creations and has intricately depicted insects, birds, frogs, and more. He attributes these unique works to observations from rural life. Having engaged in bamboo carving for nearly twenty years, his achievements are evident. However, perhaps due to the experience of the bamboo industry’s rise and fall, Ye Ji-hsiang feels that there are too few bamboo artists in the country to form a significant force, and the general public is also quite unfamiliar with the craft of bamboo carving. Therefore, after achieving success in bamboo art creation, he has recently turned to life crafts, creating bamboo products that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical, using simple lines paired with the unique texture of bamboo. He emphasizes that only by expressing bamboo art in an approachable manner can the public come to appreciate bamboo products and, in turn, enhance the appreciation of bamboo carving art. In order to pass on the craft of bamboo carving, Ye Ji-hsiang began teaching in bamboo carving classes organized by the cultural bureau. Perhaps eager for excellence, he often frightens many away with the foundational courses, so he has shifted his approach to focus on increasing students' interest. He believes it is more practical to start by cultivating individuals with an appreciation for bamboo art before discussing entering bamboo art creation. (Images and text from the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute)
