In the "Hutong Garden" in Yuli County, Xinjiang, the poplar root carving works are unique in shape and exquisite in workmanship. Photo by Hu Jiachen
Xinjiang, 17 Feb (Xinhua) -- In the "Hutong Garden" in Tuanjie Town, Yuli County, Xinjiang, Zhang's poplar root carvings either retain the original form of intertwined roots, or are made into lampshades, benches, vases and other exquisite handicrafts. "Poplar is a business card of Xinjiang, and I hope that through root carving works, more people will know about poplar." Zhang Said.
"When I was less than 20 years old, I picked up a carving knife and did food carving, benzene plate carving, resin carving, and so on." Zhang Huang told reporters that he tried different types of carving, and also paved the way for his future association with poplar root carving. "In 2009, when making a tea party, I went to Wei Plough to look for materials, and I accidentally found a piece of poplar wood, so I used it and it worked very well."
The poplar forest in Yuli County, Xinjiang has become its "tourism business card", and the poplar wood carving works are "the finishing touch". Photo by Hu Jiachen
Yuli County is located in southeastern Xinjiang, where the Tarim River runs through it. In autumn, the poplar forest in Yuli County is golden and the scenery is magnificent. This also made Zhang Huan have the idea of creating handicrafts with poplar root carving, "Poplar Forest is a business card of Yuli County, attracting many domestic and foreign tourists, I thought of developing some poplar root carving tourism souvenirs." ”
Since then, Zhang Huang has become a "cross-border craftsman", constantly learning to improve his skills. "Sometimes I lie in bed at night and have a good idea, so I immediately get up and turn on the light to create." In his hand, a seemingly inconspicuous poplar lump has become a delicate handicraft after peeling, shaping, sandblasting, painting and other layers of links.
The picture shows the poplar wood pen holder made by Zhang Bao. Photo by Hu Jiachen
"Some of the wood is delicate and reddish, and some are covered with nodules and yellowish, because these poplars grow in different environments." In order to produce good root carving works, Zhang Huan learned the knowledge of poplar while running around to "pan" poplar wood. In 2012, his series of poplar wood carvings won the bronze medal in the National Tourism Commodity Competition.
In 2019, Zhang Huang built a poplar cultural theme garden "Hutong Garden" in Kongpan Village, Tuanjie Town, Yuli County, Xinjiang. The reporter saw in the "Hutong Garden" that the lighting, benches, nameplates, wall decorations and other poplar root carving works are unique in shape and exquisite in workmanship. "Many tourists from outside Xinjiang come here, and I will introduce them to the poplar culture." Zhang Huang told reporters that he also held research activities in the "Hutong Garden" to popularize poplar knowledge for the young generation.
"Crossover craftsman" Zhang Bao introduced the species of poplar wood. Photo by Hu Jiachen
"Indomitable immortality is people's understanding of the spirit of poplar. I hope that through my works, more people will be interested in poplar, to understand its species, growth environment, etc., and to build a bridge between everyone and nature. Zhang Huang told reporters that next, it will prepare to prepare for the construction of a more diversified form of poplar culture theme project. (End)