When it comes to Xiushan bamboo weaving, the first thing that comes to people's mind is its exquisite quality and unique modeling. People tend to imagine the person who makes these objects must be an old craftsman with superb craftsmanship and ingenuity. But in Xiushan, Wu Liming, a 44-year-old digger driver, can weave not only various kinds of practical objects with bamboo strips but also create multiple innovative and delicate crafts.
Wu Liming and his handcrafts.
When interviewed, he was busy in weaving objects, with beautiful bamboo strips in his hands. Not for a while, a dustpan took shape in his hands. In 2017, his friends invited him to join Xiushan Wulingfeng Culture and Art Co., Ltd. because of his excellent weaving skills.
Wu Liming's bamboo weaving crafts.
"In the beginning, I weaved production tools or household objects such as bamboo baskets common in Xiushan," Wu said.
Wu, inheritor of Xiushan bamboo weaving--an intangible cultural heritage, was born in 1976 in Qingxi, Xiushan. Bamboo weaving has been passed on from generation to generation in his family. Growing in such a background, he began to weave bamboo objects when he was around six or seven years old. Before he finished primary school study, he could manage to create a complete piece of work. In recent years, Wu has been plunged into learning to integrate Xiushan bamboo weaving with historical elements and modern creative ideas to complete contemporary handiwork that is both ornamental and practical.
"In 2018, the company sent me to the intangible cultural heritage bamboo weaving class of Sichuan Fine Arts Institute (SCFAI) to study for more than a month. I have a basic knowledge of bamboo weaving, and I am also interested in it. I could create more and better works based on traditional bamboo weaving in Xiushan by integrating the techniques and weaving methods I have learned," Wu said.
Few people know that this craftsman, who has attracted tourists' attention in various exhibitions and won the title of "Master of Bamboo weaving," is a digger driver.
"The job income is higher, but the craftsmen in Xiushan are generally over 60 years old. In addition, I like it, so I want to carry forward this craft," said Wu.
For Wu, bamboo weaving is still one of his sources of happiness. But now the craft was dying out, and it was a pity that only a few elders continued this craft.
"I hope more young people will come to learn and carry forward Xiushan bamboo weaving," Wu said.