Carving Master –Bing-kuei Li
Songxia Room
(Figure 1)Songxia Room
Songxia Room, located at No 51, Putou Street, is Master Bing-kuei Li’s father Mr. Song-lin Li’s house. The “卍” grille of the window means fortune for buddhism. The spring festival couplets on the door.
Living National Treasure - Master Bing-kuei Li
Many generations of the Li family have engaged in carvings, especially temple carvings. Many parts of Lukang’s famous heritages, such as Longshan Temple and Mazu Temple, are his ancestors’ works. Master Li, the fifth generation, has been awarded the 1st National Heritage Award, or Carving Technique Keeper, by the Ministry of Culture. He is also called “Spring Couplets Master” because he writes beautiful Chinese calligraphy.
(Figure 2) Saintly Emperor Guan.
Saintly Emperor Guan
The picture of Saintly Emperor Guan (see Figure 2) looks different from what we’ve usually seen. Generally, Saintly Emperor Guan sculptures are with their original wood color, but Master Li painted this sculpture in order to make it look godlier. Besides, different from other Saintly Emperor Guan sculptures, this sculpture sits in a chair, because Master Li considered Saintly Emperor Guan a human, who might get tired from standing for too long. Therefore, the unique sculpture possesses both godly look and human nature.
After Seeing through his works and listening to his explanation, I found Master Li not only was good at carvings but also has delicate observation. For instance, his “The Four Actions of Life” sculptures vividly depict four actions such as back scratching, nose picking, earwax digging, and yawning. With his artful hands, Master Li has given the quiet wood new life!
San Duo Jiu Ru
(Figure 3) San Duo Jiu Ru.
San Duo represents "more money, more children, more life". Master Li skillfully carved "ancient coin, pomegranate, birthday peach".
(Figure 4) Mr. Song-lin Li received the National Heritage Award from the president.(Figure 5) The statue of Mr. Song-lin Li.
Postscript
Master Li displays the National Heritage Award his father Mr. Song-lin Li received from the president outdoor for people to take a look or take a picture with it. Besides sharing their happiness with people, maybe he also wants to remind us not to value too much on awards and praise.
Master Li performed Chinese calligraphy for us. His focused look infected us and made us feel we were participating in a sacred art festiva.
