Yeh Chi-chang Craft House Introduction
Ye Chi-hsiang is one of the few young bamboo sculptors in Taiwan. As a child, he witnessed his family's traditional bamboo processing factory decline, but instead of giving up on bamboo, he chose to carve a new path in bamboo sculpture. He developed a passion for bamboo carving while studying in the Industrial Arts program at Zhushan High School, frequently traveling to Taichung to learn from masters. After completing his military service, he quickly established a studio to pursue his craft, and under the guidance of renowned master Chen Ming-tang, his work gained recognition in the craft community. From daily life, he finds inspiration and incorporates it into his work. With a deep understanding of bamboo, Ye Chi-hsiang has a unique perspective on bamboo carving. While traditional masters mostly carved various facial expressions on bamboo faces, he boldly hollowed out the bamboo nodes to create playful pieces that seem to sing, naming them the "Human World Series," which received high acclaim. He is also skilled in creating lotus flowers and meticulously depicts insects, birds, and frogs. He attributes these unique works to his observations of rural life. After nearly twenty years in bamboo carving, his achievements are evident. However, having experienced the bamboo industry’s rise and decline, he feels there are too few bamboo sculptors in Taiwan to form a strong community, and the general public is unfamiliar with bamboo craftsmanship. As a result, after achieving success in bamboo art, he has recently focused on creating utilitarian bamboo art pieces with simple lines that highlight bamboo’s unique texture, making them both aesthetic and practical. He emphasizes that only through relatable representations can the public connect with bamboo art products and come to appreciate it, which is the fundamental way to elevate bamboo carving art. To pass on the craft of bamboo carving, Ye Chi-hsiang began teaching in bamboo carving classes organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Perhaps eager for quality, he often scares off many people during the basic courses, so he has shifted his approach to focus on stimulating students' interest. He states that it might be more practical to start by cultivating a group of individuals with the ability to appreciate bamboo art before moving into bamboo carving creation. (Text and images from the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute)
