On elegant jade pendants and charms, ladies stand at doorways
and balconies, play the flute or kick up their heels in short
skirts. Zhai Yiwei updates an ancient art with new ideas.
Chinese people traditionally regard jade as more precious than
gold. The shining yellow metal has value but jade is invaluable,
the old saying goes.
Appreciation of jade has grown with Chinese civilization and
remains popular, despite the love of glitter and gem stones.
While jade comes in many colors, carving artist Zhai Yiwei is
especially fond of soft white jade, symbol of purity, nobility and
perfection.
"Chinese people have attached too many mysterious labels to jade
in the past," says Zhai, who has been carving jade for more than 20
years. He specializes in jewelry and accessories; the jade comes
from the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
"Jade is the symbol of beauty, and everyone can appreciate and
own it now," he says. He creates new art that combines ancient
motifs with modern elements.
Jade was carved into sacrificial vessels, tools, ornaments,
utensils, accessories and other items. Buddha, animals and scenery
are the classic themes in traditional jade carving.
Craftsmen used established models and patterns for carving jade
that was given as gifts representing China.
Artist Zhai takes an innovative approach to jade carving. On
small pieces of stone he depicts modern life and emotions. Among
his better-known creations is a pendant or charm featuring an
elegant woman standing at an ornate window. He adds two lines of
poetry.
Other pendants feature women in doorways and thresholds of
graceful 1930s Shanghai. Some women wear mid-calf-length skirts and
kick up their heels. The delicate craftsmanship and pure creamy
white color create small works of art, scenes with feeling.
For many white jade lovers, the whiter the better, however, in
Zhai's eyes, every piece of jade is unique in its tones, touches of
other colors, textures and shape. It is through rich and natural
coloring that quality can be judged.
"We should broaden our minds in jade carving while absorbing
some good aspects from the old times," says Zhai. "Sometimes people
pay too much attention to the texture and quality of the raw jade.
That is important, but innovative and better craftsmanship is what
I am pursuing."
Zhai spent two years in Japan and that experience opened his
mind to the possibilities of jade carving. He was impressed by the
prosperous handicrafts industry. "Japanese artists have found a way
to combine traditions and creativity," he says. "I am
inspired."
Now he has opened his own jade-carving workshop, creating wares
known as "Shanghai-style jade carving" in the industry.
His goal is simple: "I love to be a pioneer in creating jade
carving."
(Shanghai Daily January 29, 2008)
