Woodcarving master Li Bing-gui (李秉圭) was selected as the recipient of this year's National Crafts Achievement Award, Taiwan's highest honor award in the field of craftsmanship, in recognition of his persistence in woodcarving for nearly 60 years, as well as his achievements and contributions in multiple aspects such as craft creation, research, restoration and inheritance.
As the fifth-generation inheritor of the woodcarving craft, Li was born into a family with a long tradition in this craft in 1949 in Lukang Township, Changhua County. Having been immersed in the environment of woodcarving since childhood, he was inspired by his father Li Song-lin (李松林) who is the master of folk art. He subsequently inherited the family business; and his craft creation showcases the profound cultural heritage of Lukang, a place rich in folk traditions, customs, rituals, and local beliefs.
During Li's creative process, he has gone through multiple stages of learning, integration, transformation and innovation. He incorporates contemporary ideas and perceptions into traditional classics and creates freely with a variety of creative themes, giving traditional woodcraft a new life while valuing the importance of technical and artistic research of traditional woodcarving and chiseling. In addition to creation, Li is also committed to restoring, promoting and continuing the craft, with an aim to cultivate more Taiwanese craft talents and pass on the core spirit and attitude of being a craftsman.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture, the National Crafts Achievement Award is organized by the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute (NTCRI). The winning conditions for the award include working in the craft field for more than 30 years, actively engaging in craft creation, in-depth research on craft materials and techniques, actively passing on craft skills and cultivating craft talents, among others.
(Photo courtesy of NTCRI)