Elderly master artist passes on traditional gourd pyrography

In Juye county in East China's Shandong province, Jiao Xueyin, 81, has practiced gourd pyrography – the technique of making exquisite art by applying heat and fire to gourds – for over a decade. 

Jiao Xueyin sets to work in his studio. [Photo by Xiao Shouxiang for chinadaily.com.cn]

Pyrography is also known as poker work, or fire-stroke painting. When decorating a gourd, the artisan first uses a pencil to draw a sketch onto the gourd and then uses a soldering iron to heat out the marks, bit by bit.

Using a soldering iron as his brush and the gourd as his canvas, the octogenarian intricately creates great artworks featuring landscapes, flowers, birds and more. This special form of expression is said to showcase the beauty of intangible cultural heritage.

Gourd pyrography is a traditional folk craft in China, with a history spanning thousands of years, that requires immense patience and attention to detail.

According to Jiao, selecting the right gourd is essential. 

He says that each gourd has its own unique shape and size, which influences the design. Whether it is an animal, a person or a landscape, Jiao meticulously plans and designs each piece. 

The figures are lifelike and the landscapes are beautifully balanced. Every work is a testament to the artist's skill and creativity.

Jiao says he's determined to pass on this valuable heritage to future generations and to promote a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

As Jiao continues to create gourd pyrography pieces, he said he hopes to inspire others to explore and embrace the diverse cultural traditions that make China so unique. (Edited by Jin Yongxue)