China News Service, Hong Kong, August 11, Wire Title: Hong Kong Master Zhazuo Mao Zhuoqi: Do art instead of business

　　China News Agency reporter Suo Youwei

　　For Hong Kong citizens who cannot travel far due to the impact of the new crown pneumonia, even if the summer is hot, they cannot stop their local travel.

A few days ago, in front of the Zhazuo Pavilion at the entrance of Kwu Tung Village, Sheung Shui, Hong Kong, dozens of tourists wearing masks were listening to the exhibition owner and master Zhazuo, Mao Zhuoqi, introducing various exhibits and enjoying the performance of a unicorn dance. The museum does not accept tickets, and the exhibited works are by Zhuoqi and his students.

Hong Kong Zha Zuo master Mao Zhuoqi introduced the artistic characteristics of the unicorn head to reporters.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Suo Youwei

　　"About 2,000 people came to visit the museum more than a year ago. Through their filming, word of mouth, or uploading to social media, more people can know that there is a Zhazuo pavilion in the ancient cave and help promote the culture of Zhazuo." Mao Zhuoqi said in an interview with a reporter from China News Agency.

　　As one of the few masters in Hong Kong, Mao Zhuoqi was keen on lion dance and unicorn dance when he was young. I have been very interested in these festive things since I was a child, and I think that when I grow up or have the ability, I will be a lion or a unicorn by myself."

Mao Zhuoqi, one of the few masters in Hong Kong at present, demonstrated his skills to reporters.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Suo Youwei

　　By chance, Mao Zhuoqi met the master Guan Duo of "Baohua Zhazuo" because of the maintenance of lion heads. He started to learn the techniques of Cantonese Zhazuo from Guanduo at the age of 19, and became a full-time Zhazuo 6 years later. He can be skilled in making lion dances, golden dragons, unicorns, or lanterns, ding lanterns, and fireworks.

　　Mao Zhuoqi said that the art of Hong Kong kylin painting was first introduced to Hong Kong from Guangzhou and Foshan, and it continued the Cantonese traditional skills of "strapping, fluttering, writing, and attire" in craftsmanship.

He said frankly that it takes time and effort to make a unicorn head. It takes more than ten days to complete a unicorn head, but it can't sell for a good price.

But because of his love for Zazuo, he persevered.

In 1997, the "Qilin Store" named after "Qi" in his name was born, and it has been in operation for nearly 25 years.

　　Mao Zhuoqi's second master is Chen Wang, 84 years old this year. He became his teacher in 2013 to inherit the traditional craftsmanship of the older generation.

　　In Mao Zhuoqi's view, the "framework" and "sticking of gauze paper" in the process of making Kirin heads test the patience and perseverance of the producer, but "painting" requires more thinking and creativity.

Hong Kong master craftsman Mao Zhuoqi's master crafts exhibition hall gathers all kinds of works.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Suo Youwei

　　"I think about it myself. For example, its main body is purple, and purple has shades. It may hit some yellow, hit some light green, hit some dark green, so that it will be conspicuous, and the black must add a little white to it. "There is no end to doing this," said Mao Zhuoqi. "Art creation is to make every work different. If every work is the same, then it is no longer an art creation, but a business."

　　It is precisely because Mao Zhuoqi treats Zhazuo as an art installation, his three-headed unicorn with hexagonal lanterns, bat-rat-shaped lanterns and other works shined at the Lantern Festival Lantern Festival in previous years.

　　As the years change, the scale of God’s birthday and various traditional festivals has shrunk in Hong Kong year by year, and the paper lanterns and flower plaques that can be seen everywhere in the past are also declining.

In order to promote the craftsmanship, Mo Zhuoqi established the "Hong Kong Craftsmanship Association" in 2016. In recent years, he has also been invited to the Mainland, Japan, and the United Kingdom to demonstrate and teach the craftsmanship.

　　Mao Zhuoqi said that because the Hong Kong tie-in product market is shrinking day by day, and it is easy to get started in this industry and it is difficult to do fine work, young people are basically reluctant to enter the industry. He hopes that through his own efforts, the tie-in skills can continue to be preserved.

(Finish)