Ye Ji Xiang - Craft House Introduction
Ye Chi-Hsiang is one of the few young bamboo carving artists in Taiwan. Growing up witnessing the decline of the traditional bamboo processing factory run by his family, he did not give up on working with bamboo; instead, he chose to embark on a new path through bamboo carving. While studying in the Department of Visual Arts at Zhuoshui Senior High School, he developed a deep passion for bamboo carving and frequently went to Taichung to learn from masters. After completing his military service, he immediately established a studio for his creations, gaining recognition in the craft community under the guidance of renowned master Chen Ming-Tang. ■ Finding Inspiration from Life Ye Chi-Hsiang has a unique perspective on bamboo carving, thanks to his profound understanding of the material. In contrast to traditional methods where sculptors intricately depict facial expressions on bamboo, he boldly carves out the bamboo nodes to create whimsical works that sing, naming this series "Human Realm," which has received high praise. Ye is also skilled in creating lotus flower designs and has meticulously crafted representations of insects, birds, and frogs. He attributes these distinctive works to observations from his rural life. Having engaged in bamboo carving for nearly twenty years, his achievements are widely recognized. However, having experienced the fluctuations in the bamboo industry, Ye feels that there are too few bamboo carving artists in Taiwan to form a cohesive movement and that most people are quite unfamiliar with bamboo craftsmanship. Therefore, after achieving success in bamboo art creation, he has recently focused on functional craftworks. By combining simple lines with the unique texture of bamboo, he has produced a series of aesthetically pleasing yet practical bamboo art items. He emphasizes that the key to elevating bamboo carving art lies in expressing it in a way that allows the public to engage with and appreciate bamboo art products. To pass on the skills of bamboo carving, Ye Chi-Hsiang has begun teaching at bamboo carving classes organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. Perhaps due to his eagerness for excellence, he often scares off many students in the basic courses. Therefore, 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)
