Zhang Qiyi – Master of Folk Wood-carving in Tonghai County, Yuxi 

Zhang Qiyi (张齐义) is a folk woodcarving artist from Hexi Town (河西镇), Tonghai County (通海县), renowned for his exquisite woodcarving skills and unique artistic style. He has inherited the traditional craftsmanship of Tonghai woodcarving (通海木雕) and further developed and innovated upon it.

Personal Background and Inheritance of Craftsmanship

Zhang Qiyi was born into a family of woodcarvers in Hexi Town (河西镇), Tonghai County (通海县), and was immersed in the art of woodcarving from a young age. Both his father and grandfather were well-known local woodcarvers. He began learning the craft early in his childhood and gradually developed his own distinctive style.

Woodcarving Techniques and Artistic Features

Zhang Qiyi’s woodcarving works are characterized by the following features:

  • Exquisite Craftsmanship: His works are finely crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Whether depicting human figures or floral and bird motifs, the carvings appear vivid and lifelike.
  • Fusion of Tradition and Modernity: While preserving traditional techniques, Zhang incorporates modern design elements to make his works more appealing to contemporary aesthetics.
  • Cultural Depth: Many of his works integrate elements of Yi ethnic culture (彝族文化), showcasing scenes from Yi life and highlighting the unique cultural characteristics of the Yi people.

Representative Works

Some of Zhang Qiyi’s notable works include:

  • Wooden Carved Screens: These screens are intricately crafted and elegantly designed, often used in home decoration.
  • Four-Stringed Lutes (四弦琴): His lutes are not only of high sound quality but also artistically carved, making them popular among local Yi people (彝族人民).

Social and Cultural Impact

Zhang Qiyi is not only dedicated to his own woodcarving creations but also actively mentors the next generation of artisans. Through training classes and workshops, he passes down traditional skills to young people, making significant contributions to the preservation and development of Tonghai woodcarving (通海木雕).

Historical Background

Hexi Town (河西镇) in Tonghai County (通海县) boasts a long history of woodcarving art. One of the most renowned woodcarving masters was Gao Yingmei (高应美). Gao Yingmei (1859–1932), active in the late Qing Dynasty, was a celebrated woodcarver from southern Yunnan whose works were esteemed both domestically and internationally.

His masterpiece is the carved lattice door of San Sheng Temple (三圣宫) in Xiaoxincun Village (小新村). This set of six doors, each measuring 3.2 meters high, 0.6 meters wide, and 0.07 meters thick, employs multi-layered openwork relief techniques. The carvings include vivid scenes such as “Five Dragons Holding the Sacred,” “The Eight Immortals Celebrating Longevity,” and “Eighteen Arhats,” showcasing lifelike figures and exceptional craftsmanship. These doors are hailed as “the finest woodcarving in China.”

As a new-generation artist, Zhang Qiyi carries on the traditions of masters like Gao Yingmei while also innovating, breathing new life into Tonghai woodcarving (通海木雕) in contemporary society.

Representation of Yi Cultural Elements in Woodcarving

Patterns and Motifs

Yi woodcarvings frequently incorporate distinctive patterns and motifs rich with cultural symbolism. Common motifs include:

  • Sun and Moon Patterns: Symbolizing reverence for celestial bodies.
  • Wave and Rainbow Patterns: Representing natural phenomena and a deep respect for nature.
  • Swirl and Star Patterns: Reflecting cosmic and natural powers.
  • Swastika Flowing Patterns: Denoting auspiciousness and eternity.
  • Animal Motifs: Such as dragons, phoenixes, and tigers, symbolizing power and good fortune.
  • Plant Motifs: Including flowers, grasses, and trees, symbolizing vitality and prosperity.

Architectural Decoration

Woodcarving and stone carving are common decorative techniques in traditional Yi residential architecture. These decorations enhance beauty while embodying cultural meanings and reverence for nature.

  • Firepit (火塘): A central feature in Yi homes, often surrounded by carved motifs symbolizing happiness and good fortune.
  • Doors and Windows: Beautifully carved with sun, moon, stars, birds, plants, and animals, these elements express strong ethnic identity and cultural richness.

Musical Instrument Making

Yi musical instruments, such as the Three-Stringed Lute (三弦琴), are crafted with artistic and cultural elements. These instruments serve both functional and symbolic purposes.

  • Three-Stringed Lute (三弦琴): Artisans often integrate traditional myths, daily life scenes, and symbolic patterns into the instrument’s design, enriching its cultural value.

Religion and Belief

Yi religious practices and totemic beliefs are also reflected in woodcarving art.

  • Ritual Tools of Bimo and Suni (毕摩和苏尼): Religious items such as ritual implements and masks are often elaborately carved, imbued with spiritual and sacred meanings.

Clothing and Everyday Items

Woodcarving elements are found in Yi traditional clothing and household items, serving both decorative and cultural purposes.

  • Yi Costumes: Patterns, headgear, and color schemes convey cultural identity and pride.

Cultural Inheritance and Innovation

Contemporary Yi woodcarving artists not only preserve traditional skills but also innovate by combining traditional motifs with modern design concepts.

  • Creative Design: Some artists blend classic Yi patterns with modern aesthetics, producing artworks that maintain cultural essence while appealing to modern tastes.

Through these various expressions, Yi cultural elements are vividly showcased and passed down in the art of woodcarving.

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