Bamboo carving master Chen Chun-ming (陳春明) passed away on Feb. 27 at the age of 83. Culture Minister Shih Che expressed his deepest condolences upon hearing this news, praising Chen’s lifelong dedication to promoting traditional bamboo carving, one of Taiwan’s intangible cultural heritage. Minister Shih stated that the Ministry of Culture will posthumously commend him in recognition of Chen’s significant role in laying a solid foundation for the preservation and transmission of this craft.
Born in 1941, Chen inherited his father Chen Cheng-chi's (陳正氣) woodcarving skills from a young age. He furthered his expertise by studying bamboo carving, infusing his works with storytelling elements that transformed them into both artistic and accessible creations.
With a career spanning 70 years, Chen’s pieces embody a fusion of traditional techniques and modern influences. His contributions were recognized with the National Award for Arts in 1980, and in 2013, the Taichung City Government acknowledged him as a preserver of traditional bamboo carving techniques.