Gourd carving work
Gourd carving is a traditional art form with a long history, as well as a representative of Ninghe district's intangible heritage culture.
The gourd, one of the oldest auspicious symbols of the Chinese nation, has always been regarded as a treasure for warding off evil in ancient times.
Gourd carving involves using a knife to carve designs onto the surface of a gourd and then coloring those carved patterns.
Carved gourds can be held and played with using cotton cloth and hands, increasing people's engagement and interest. They are also characterized by their non-fading colors and vivid imagery.
Over time, the gourd's color may change, giving the carved images and poems a different charm from the beginning. The artworks become more quaint and enduring, making them irresistible to behold.
In 2022, gourd carving was selected as an intangible cultural heritage project in Tianjin.
Feng Hao, an inheritor of gourd carving, has continuously learned and practiced for many years, drawing rich artistic nutrition from Chinese ink painting, calligraphy, and seal art, and integrating it into gourd carving.
Feng Hao's gourd carving works
His works exhibit a distinctive style with a skillful knife technique that is both simple and elegant, avoiding stiffness and monotony, with smooth and graceful lines. The subjects include figures, flowers and birds, animals, and landscapes.
As a national treasure, intangible cultural heritage carries the weight of history and tradition. Ninghe district welcomes visitors to explore the unique charm of gourd carving here.