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Race to save ancient mural paintings
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In northern China’s Shanxi Province, an area rich in cultural relics, a precious part of human history and civilization is fading away. A large number of ancient temples and the refined murals inside have been left deserted; some broken, some largely eroded.
When it comes to China’s mural paintings, many would immediately think of Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes in Gansu Province. From AD 366 and continuing for some 1,000 years, there are 492 grottoes with some 45,000 square meters of murals still in existence there. They represent the culmination of Chinese painting and carving.
However, in contrast to the mural paintings in Dunhuang, those scattered around the old temples in Shanxi are largely ignored and endangered.
Tang Dahua, a lover of ancient Chinese architecture, is appealing for the protection of these “treasures of the nation.”
“Based on a survey, there are nearly 25,000 ancient buildings in Shanxi Province, and about 5 percent of them have mural paintings,” Tang says. “Most of the mural paintings were delicately painted during the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties or even earlier.”
But the murals have eroded over time, and the broken walls and dilapidated buildings put them in greater danger.
“Just imagine, if these ancient buildings collapsed, how could these mural paintings survive?” Tang asks. ”After a rainy season, they would totally disappear.”
Tang says he has witnessed the collapse of four ancient temples, along with their mural paintings. “I felt so shocked and upset. I only know that they are gone forever.”
In an effort to save the remaining Shanxi murals, Tang spread what he had seen on his blog. Soon he received a response from the local government, promising that a special renovation project for the ancient paintings and buildings would start after April.
But Tang is not optimistic.
“I don’t count on it based on my observations and inspections on site for years,” he says. “Budget is a critical thing. Many projects are suspended because of the budget. Without money, the project is only on paper.”
Tang says that last year CCTV reported on the bad condition of the mural paintings in Shanxi, citing nine examples. The local government immediately responded with a 30-million-yuan (US$5 million) project to “rescue” the murals.
“But I found the local government only repaired one and a half, which was financially supported by the central government,” he says. “So I’m totally disappointed by the promise of the local government.”
The rescue of these mural paintings involves not only money but also finding qualified artisans to repair them. Different painters used different methods, some using extraordinary techniques and equipment that remained largely unknown to their successors.
Only a few of them could write their names beside the mural paintings. In fact, such painters were called “craftsmen” rather than artists, and never enjoyed the same reputation and acclaim as the artists of their times.
“When standing in front of these mural paintings, I often have a mixed feeling,” Tang says. “These craftsmen were all unsung heroes, leaving no names to us. I even don’t know whether they had an easy life or not, but what they left is a huge treasure of art.”
Now it’s difficult to find people to repair these priceless treasures. Gao Zhonghua, 53, and Yi Yunli, 50, are a married couple who have repaired mural paintings for years.
“I learned repairing mural paintings at the age of 21,” says Yi. “Due to the “cultural revolution (1966-76), those who grasp the special technique were already approaching 80 or 90, so there is a big generation gap in this area.”
Yi says she can earn 300 yuan per day for repairing murals. “When I was young, I took mural painting as my hobby. But when I got married, this was a way to earn my bread,” she says. “My husband and I eat in the temples, but I don’t want to sleep there — not so clean and convenient.”
Chai Zejun, an expert at the Cultural Heritage Bureau of Shanxi Province, says that mural repair demands a lot of precision.
“Today, some methods seem to protect mural paintings but can actually destroy them,” he says. “Those who have no idea of how to protect mural paintings will add a glass window to it, but the increased moisture will soon ruin the piece.”
He cites another example: The right concentrations of glue and alum must be put onto the painting to prevent a ruinous fading of the colors. This demands repeated experiments on one corner.
“First the dust on the wall needs to be wiped off, and then one will use a soft brush soaked with water that is mixed with glue and alum to paint on the wall,” he says. “But it is only a one-chance process, otherwise the colors will drop.”
Chai carries deep knowledge of ancient buildings and mural paintings, as he has decades of experience in the field.
“I strongly suggest that universities in Shanxi Province establish some majors in the protection of ancient buildings, mural paintings and ancient sculptures,” he says.
“Maybe this is not feasible at the moment,” he adds. “I just hope that more and more volunteers for cultural heritage will join us.”
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