Qijiang Wood Engravings

A Brief Introduction to Qijiang Wood Engravings

Qijiang Wood Engravings originated from the wood engraving in Ming and Qing Dynasty. It is clear in outline and bright in color. It is created on the base of the peasants' practice of living and production, thus possessing rich local colors and ethnic flavors. Qijiang Wood Engravings is the characteristic representative of traditional Chinese folk arts.

Origin of the Skills of Qijiang Wood Engravings

More than 2,000 years ago in the Warring States Period, the Ba State was still in the slave society. To the Han Dynasty which was 1800 years from now, Qijiang entered the feudal society from the slave society. With the development of productivity, handicrafts industry emerged as time required. The craftsmen of the Ba ancestors carved on the hard cliff with their tools, thus forming the stone inscription arts of many minorities. These inscription skills laid the solid foundation for the appearance of Qijiang Wood Engravings.

Developmental History of Qijiang Wood Engravings

During the Ming and Qing Dynasty, the Wood Engraving of Qijiang appeared on the beams and columns in temples, chambers of commerce and guild halls. These wood engraving images range from Chinese characters to pictures of figures. What's more, there are also a series of wood engraving images showing various historical stories.

In the 1980s, more and more people participated in the work of making the wood engravings. But Qijiang Wood Engraving was still not widely known and little attention of artistic circles was paid to it.

In October 1983, several peasant craftsmen came to Beijing with their wood engravings and visited the then deputy president of Chinese Artists Association-Hua Junwu. Hua Junwu was stunned by these wood engravings and the Qijiang Wood Engravings got the approval of the artistic circles for the first time.

On January 8th 1984, the Qijiang Wood Engravings of Qijiang peasants were displayed in the National Art Museum of China and made a hit in the capital.

In September 2005, the Museum of Qijiang Wood Engravings was built and many precious wood engravings were collected in the museum. Qijiang Wood Engravings are well protected from then on.

Artistic Characteristics of Qijiang Wood Engravings

The Qijiang Wood Engravings show substantial absorption techniques from wood and stone, cloth, paste, paper cutting and other local folk art techniques. It presents the artistic effects of primitive simplicity and exaggerated romances with high artistic values. Most of the Qijiang Wood Engravings are based on the daily life of the local peasants, presenting a strong local flavor. Because of the rich themes, unique skills and fresh vividity of Qijiang Wood Engravings, it has become a wonderful work in the arts field with special Chinese characteristics. It has a deep influence in the arts field both at home and abroad.