Zhang Zhengming – Inheritor of Folk Wood-carving in Tonghai County, Yuxi 

Personal Background

Birth and Origin
Born in 1959 in Daiwen Village (戴文村), Hexi Town (河西镇), Tonghai County (通海县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省). He is of Han ethnicity.

Physical Condition
Zhang Zhengming (张正明) is a person with disabilities. Despite his condition, he has been self-taught in arts and crafts for over 20 years through sheer perseverance.

Artistic Enlightenment
In his early years, he was exposed to various carving techniques such as ivory carving, round carving, bamboo carving, and stone carving. Eventually, he specialized in woodcarving.

Woodcarving Achievements

Artistic Style
His woodcarving subjects are diverse, covering mythology, folk tales, historical figures, modern life, and even recreations of famous paintings.
He masters multiple techniques including round carving, relief carving, flat carving, and openwork carving, and he skillfully combines them in his works.

Representative Works

• Sutra Collection (《藏经》): Awarded “Yunnan Woodcarving Masterpiece” in 1988.
• Huang Zhong (《黄忠》): Donated in 1990 to Mr. Ronal from the International House of Compassion (UK).
• He has created nearly 150 woodcarvings, some of which are now in the hands of domestic and international collectors.

Honors and Recognition

• In 1988, he won second place in Yunnan Province’s first intellectual skills competition for persons with disabilities.
• In 2017, his works were exhibited at the Confucian Temple (文庙) in Tonghai (通海), alongside pieces from well-known local calligraphy and woodcarving artists.

Social Influence and Legacy

As a provincial-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, Zhang Zhengming’s woodcarving skills have significantly contributed to the preservation and development of traditional woodcarving in Tonghai County (通海县) and Yunnan Province (云南省).
His artworks not only carry artistic value but also reflect the unique charm of Yunnan’s local culture, promoting the inheritance and innovation of folk craftsmanship.

Historical Context of Hexi Town’s Woodcarving Art

Hexi Town (河西镇), Tonghai County (通海县) is one of the important birthplaces of Yunnan woodcarving. Historically, it produced legendary masters such as Gao Yingmei (高应美) during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic era.
Gao Yingmei’s masterpiece – the carved lattice doors of the Three Saints Palace (三圣宫槅子门) – is regarded as the pinnacle of Yunnan woodcarving.

Unlike Gao Yingmei, Zhang Zhengming’s creations are more connected to modern life, with more diverse subjects that reflect the contemporary continuation of traditional woodcarving.

Gao Yingmei – Master of Yunnan Woodcarving in the Late Qing Dynasty

Gao Yingmei (高应美, 1859–1932), styled Jigao (继高), was a native of Nanmen (南门) in Hexi Town (河西镇, formerly Hexi County 河西县). He was renowned as a master of woodcarving in Southern Yunnan during the late Qing Dynasty.
From age 32 to 65, he carved nearly twenty sets of lattice doors, mostly found in temples and affluent households. His most famous work is the lattice doors at the Three Saints Palace (三圣宫) in Xiaoxincun (小新村), created in the 26th year of Emperor Guangxu’s reign (1900). This project took decades and displays exceptional craftsmanship.

His woodcarvings are not only technically excellent but also culturally rich, incorporating historical stories and folklore. They exemplify the fusion of Yi culture and Central Plains traditions. His work is still considered the peak of Yunnan woodcarving and is praised as “The Number One Woodcarving in the Nation” (海内第一木雕).

Legacy of Hexi Town’s Woodcarving

Woodcarving in Hexi Town (河西镇) has a history of about 400 years. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, inland migrants brought advanced techniques into Yunnan, which fused with local styles.
During the late Qing and early Republic era, prominent artisans like Gao Yingmei (高应美) emerged. Their works not only gained local fame but were also exported to other regions.

Status and Influence of Yunnan Woodcarving Art

Long History and Superb Techniques

Yunnan woodcarving dates back over 1,000 years. During the height of the Nanzhao Kingdom (南诏) in Dali, skilled Han artisans brought their techniques to the region, merging with local ethnic cultures to form a distinct style.
Yunnan woodcarving is known for its relief and openwork carving, with astonishing multi-layered reliefs that can reach four layers.

Rich Cultural Connotations

Beyond its artistic value, Yunnan woodcarving is a cultural medium. It blends Central Plains culture with that of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities. For example, Jianchuan (剑川) woodcarvings often feature historical tales and folk legends, showcasing profound cultural depth.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage

Jianchuan Woodcarving (剑川木雕) was listed as part of the third batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the State Council in 2011.
This reflects not only national recognition but also affirms its significance in China’s cultural arts.

Wide Application and Impact

Yunnan woodcarvings are widely used—from architectural decoration to furniture, religious artifacts to souvenirs.
Famous heritage sites like the Forbidden City (故宫), Chengde Mountain Resort (承德避暑山庄), and Golden Horse & Jade Rooster Memorial Archway (金马碧鸡坊) in Kunming feature Jianchuan carvings, boosting the reputation of Yunnan woodcarving nationwide and globally.

Economic Driver

Woodcarving is an important economic pillar in regions like Jianchuan County (剑川县).
There are 202 private carving enterprises, 95 ancient construction companies, over 1,500 individual woodcarving artisans, and more than 23,000 workers. The industry’s output reaches 420 million yuan, proving that woodcarving is both a cultural treasure and a strong economic force.

Global Influence

Yunnan woodcarving also has international reach. With digital technology, these artworks are showcased globally via online exhibitions and virtual platforms, attracting international attention and bringing Yunnan’s craftsmanship to the world stage.

Inheritance and Innovation

While preserving tradition, Yunnan woodcarving continues to innovate. For instance, Jianchuan Xingyi Woodcarving Cultural Development Co., Ltd. (剑川兴艺木雕文化发展有限公司) adopts a “company + farmer” model, cultivating artisans and encouraging design innovation by combining traditional skills with modern aesthetics to meet market demands.

With its profound history, exquisite techniques, rich cultural content, and broad influence, Yunnan woodcarving holds a prominent place in Chinese woodcarving arts.
It is a vital part of Yunnan’s ethnic culture and a representative treasure among China’s intangible cultural heritage.

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