Most of his gourds are inscribed with characters, featuring the type of clerical calligraphy in which Wang exels. His carved pieces include basso-reliefs and hollowed pieces. The designs he creates employ materials he collected from daily life.
This is a embroidered piece using metal threads. To create the peon, he completed each delicate line by pulling the copper thread through wholes. It was painstaking work. This one is made by embroidering thick metal thread, pressed flat. The pattern recreates the fairy lady from the Dunhuang Grottos.
Wang's signature works also include this set of tea servers and this set of wine containers. This one is loved by many for its dainty size and shape.
Wang also planted some gourds, to grow in specially shaped molds. This small set is much smaller than a palm of his hand.
This is Wang's favorite. The carving depicts the scenery of Mount Wutai, near Wang's hometown Shanxi. The work was done without reference to pictures. He did it all from memory after a trip to the locale.
Several years ago, Wang suffered a stroke and was left paralyzed. He was unable to move the right side of his body and lost the use of his right hand. He had difficulty speaking. Still, he soldiered on and recently he returned to his art. His works have not lost their appeal. He carved this Olympic Mascot gourd within one month with his left hand. This embroidered one also celebrates the Games.
Wang Xuezhe, gourd artifacts maker said, "After I became ill, I didn't made a single guard. This year, to celebrate Olympics, I practiced using my left hand to make these two works."
Wu Suying, Wang Xuezhe's wife said, "These pieces were made before his stroke. He started working with his left hand after his right became incapacitated. It took him a long time to establish mastery with the left hand. The Olympics are coming, so he created two gourds. This one with the five Olympic Mascots has a lively feel. You can see. Who would believe it is made left handed. Very good. This shows a peony and "a morning glory" -- also created for the Olympics. "
Now, his wife has become his assistant, and sometimes, his spokesman. His seven year old granddaughter is among his greatest admirers. She loves his gourds and wants to learn to create them when she is older. So Wang's art will carry on as a family tradition.
