Woodcarvers bring Longwan's heritage to life

A participant carves a piece. [Photo/Tide News]

The Ye Mengchun Art Museum in Longwan district, Wenzhou, was buzzing with creativity on June 17, as 57 woodcarving artists from across China immersed themselves in live, time-limited creations.

Held on June 13, the event challenged participants to transform blocks of wood into vivid expressions of Longwan's culture within six days.

Guided by the theme of Impressions of Longwan, each piece was required to incorporate local icons such as Yongchang Fort, the Guo'an Temple Pagoda and historical figures like Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) official Zhang Cong.

The results were intricate sculptures reflecting the city's unique identity — from its ancient streets and temples to modern landmarks.

Artists like Xu Chaqing combined woodworking, embroidery and woodcarving to weave Longwan's story, while others explored deeper themes — like Shijiazhuang city's Shi Kaifan, who imagined a dialogue across five centuries through Zhang Cong's eyes.

Female sculptor Chen Jing used her piece to capture the warmth of Longwan through a young girl's silhouette, offering a tender, modern perspective.

Beyond individual expression, the event fostered exchanges among major carving traditions from Wenzhou and Dongyang cities in Zhejiang province, Chaozhou city in South China's Guangdong province and East China's Fujian province.

It also reinforced Longwan's role as a center for craftsmanship and innovation — supporting its broader goals in cultural tourism and creative industries.

On June 19, the competition's top works debuted publicly — each carving not only a personal statement, but a compelling lens into Longwan's rich, evolving identity.