Museum donation a gift that keeps on giving
Print Edition
Two retired artists want to bequeath their love of carving to future generations through a generous donation of their prized collection to the Minhang Museum. Most of the pieces are their own creative carvings on porcelain and bamboo. Nie Xin reports.
Zhu Liusheng and his wife Du Xingmei have been dedicated to the art of carving for 40 years — both as creators and collectors.
The couple, who used to work at the Shanghai Industrial Arts Institute, retired 10 years ago and moved to Minhang.
As old age encroaches, they were faced with a critical decision: what do with their beloved collection of 84 art treasures, carved from porcelain and bamboo.
They finally decided to donate the collection to the Minhang Museum, hoping it will inspire a new generation of artisans.
“We are old now,” said Zhu. “We hope young people will carry on this valuable art form and not let it disappear in future.”
Most of the works in the collection were carved by the couple. Some were done in collaboration with well-known painters and calligraphers, such as Tang Yun, Cheng Shifa, Chen Congzhou and Xie Zhiguang.
Zhu’s talent is porcelain carving. His works are extremely thin and depict figures, scenes and calligraphy.
His wife Du is an artist of bamboo carving. Her works are even thinner, sometimes measuring only one millimeter. Her style is exemplified by vivid colors. If she carves flowers, she carefully examines the petals she wants to replicate before choosing the appropriate carving knife.
60 years of love for carving
Their love of art dates back to the 1950s, when the Industrial Arts Institute located on Fengyang Road was called the Industrial Arts Laboratory.
“The laboratory invited the public to study traditional handcrafted arts, and we two were among the first to join the project,” said Zhu.
Their talent soon shone, attracting the attention of old master craftsmen like Yang Weiyi and Zhi Ci’an. Guided by their mentors, the couple moved to carving from pen work.
As an important culture institute at the time, the laboratory hosted many famous politicians and overseas visitors. The couple recalled high-level political leaders who bought art at the laboratory as gifts on foreign visits.
Among the visitors the couple remembers were Zhu De (1886-1976) and Chen Yi (1901-1972), both politicians and generals; Kang Keqing (1911-1992), a leader in the women’s movement; and Wang Guangmei (1921-2006), a politician and educator.
“We felt very proud to meet them,” said Du, “When we saw that our work was attracting such high-level admiration and that our art pieces were honored to be used as national gifts abroad, we not only realized the importance of our work but we started to think what we could give back to our country.”
Zhu and Du said they met while working at the laboratory. Within a few years, they married. Art carving was our “matchmaker,” Du said. “It was so natural for us to be together. I liked the fact that he always smiled.”
“People at that time were purer in heart,” Zhu said. “What I thought about most was carving well, with my heart as well as my hands.”
Shared principles
The couple shares similar principles about carving. They are serious about their work and fastidious about its quality. Carving on bamboo or porcelain requires unbelievable patience and skill. It can be a lonely art, they agreed.
“In the beginning, I practiced on stone,” Du said. “I cannot remember how many stones I carved before I moved on to bamboo.”
The couple has been serious in efforts to inspire a new generation of artists to take up the ancient craft of carving.
“Our biggest wish is that young people will come to appreciate this art through the collection we have given the museum,” Zhu said.
They have taught students in the past but sometimes the result has been disappointing.
“Some students were just interested in art for instant profits, but true art requires passion, time and patience,” Zhu said.
“We are sadly lacking in true heirs.”
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