[Explanation] Recently, in Chaozhou, the hometown of overseas Chinese in Guangdong, a young woman with good looks was holding a mallet in one hand and a carving knife in the other at the Guangji Bridge Intangible Heritage Market.
Under her skillful hand, a piece of wood has a prominent and lifelike aura, attracting many tourists to stop.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
I will make some small ornaments to promote our wood carvings on Guangji Bridge.
(Tourists) will always find it amazing how a piece of wood can be carved like this.
There are still many people who appreciate it. A girl can sink her heart to do this thing, and still feel more recognized.
[Explanation] Chen Jia in life is a shy girl. She told reporters that the reason why she likes woodcarving is because of a homework assigned by the teacher in elementary school.
His grandfather, Chen Shunqiang, is a national master of arts and crafts, and his father, Chen Peixi, is a provincial-level senior arts and crafts artist. Under the influence of his family, Chen Jia began to learn woodcarving at the age of 14.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
At that time, the primary school teacher assigned an assignment, which was to make a small house, and then install batteries in it to make the house light up.
At that time, my dad helped me build a small house out of wood carving, and it was ranked first in our class.
Because it is the most beautiful and beautiful, it has been praised a lot.
I am a relatively introverted person, and I am very happy to be praised by my teacher once when I was a child, so I always remember this point, which is the first time I have the impression that wood carving can do something that makes me recognized by others.
[Explanation] In the local area, there are fewer and fewer young people willing to learn Chaozhou woodcarving and inheritance skills, and carving requires a lot of hand strength, so there are very few female craftsmen engaged in this work.
Chen Jia told reporters that to complete a piece of woodcarving, at least 30 carving knives and mallets of different lengths are needed, and sometimes chalk and pencils are needed to make some marks.
Due to the long pressing of the carving knife, Chen Jia's right ring finger has been slightly deformed.
Injury in the process of carving is a frequent occurrence. Chen Jia admitted that she once thought of giving up, but her stubborn heart and recognition after she made a piece of work made her more and more determined.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
When I was injured at first, I cried, and then my dad said to give up and find a regular job to work, so I don't have to do such a hard thing.
But at that time, after a few days of rest, I came back to continue working, and I still felt that since I had learned everything, I gave up and I was in vain.
It is because of this determination that it is possible to do this now.
[Explanation] There are all kinds of exquisite Chaozhou woodcarving works in Chen Jia's studio. A larger work often takes months or even years to complete.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
This piece of work that my father and I collaborated on was going to be titled "Returning with a Fulfillment".
The length of this piece of wood is more than two meters. It took more than four months to make this step. We still need a few years of creative time to reach the finished product, and then we design while doing it, and design while imagining it. .
[Explanation] A palm-sized "lobster and crab basket" is unique and exquisite in many works. In order to let more young people understand woodcarving, Chen Jia made many small ornaments, so that woodcarving can be used in terms of subject matter, shape and use. All are innovative.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
We girls prefer some small and delicate things, so we will think of making these small works and small crab baskets.
It is also more convenient to carry when going out, and it looks more pleasing to the eye.
Because we now Chaozhou woodcarvings are generally decorations, not necessities of life, just like I usually use excess wood to make some combs.
Just a little innovation, without wasting wood, can turn it into a necessity.
[Explanation] Kung fu pays off. In recent years, Chen Jia's works have won many awards.
After insisting on learning woodcarving for more than ten years, Chen Jia hopes to regard woodcarving as his lifelong career and inherit Chaozhou woodcarving.
[Concurrent] Chen Jia, the representative inheritor of the Chaozhou Woodcarving District-level national intangible cultural heritage project
A big motivation for doing (wood carving) is actually because many of us now attach great importance to our intangible cultural heritage projects.
Like our local government, our parents and elders still appreciate our younger generation and will still support us.
So that's what keeps me going.
The intangible cultural heritage project is a very rare thing and must be passed down, so I have always been determined to develop it into my lifelong career.
Reporter He Junjie Sun Qiuxia Zou Siyao Chaozhou reports
Responsible editor: [Yu Xiao]