As Taizhou, Jiangsu province, marks the 30th anniversary of its establishment as a prefecture-level city, local intangible cultural heritage inheritor Xu Jianmin has unveiled three stone portrait engravings honoring the cultural giants who shaped Taizhou's identity: painter Zheng Banqiao, novelist Shi Nai'an and Peking Opera master Mei Lanfang.
The three stone portrait engravings honoring Shi Nai'an, Zheng Banqiao, and Mei Lanfang (from left to right) created by Xu. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
Working from his studio in Huagang town, Xu spent months carving the trio into Qingtian stone using a blend of traditional line engraving and low-relief techniques. The finished works capture Zheng's free-spirited brushwork, Shi's scholarly bearing and Mei's graceful elegance — each figure embodying a distinct strand of what locals call the "Three Waters of the Humanities".
Xu works at his studio in Huagang town. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
This concept links Shi to "water margin" culture for his authorship of Water Margin, Zheng to "ink wash" culture for his iconic bamboo paintings, and Mei to "flowing sleeves" culture for his revolutionary Peking Opera artistry. Together, they represent Taizhou's bold, philosophical and refined character.
Xu, a recognized master of Taizhou seal engraving, said he wanted to create tangible, touchable memories for his hometown's milestone. The three portraits will be displayed at upcoming cultural events celebrating the anniversary, offering residents a chance to connect with the city's millennia-old heritage through the intimate scale of traditional stone craft.
Seal engravings by Xu are displayed at his studio. [Photo/WeChat account: weihailing0523]
