Eggshell carving. Works by Chinese artist Pu Derong

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Chinese art is traditionally characterized by amazing harmony and sophistication. The works of local craftsmen are distinguished by filigree and genetic unity with nature. Artists find more and more new materials in order to realize their creative ambitions. Today we will talk about an amazing artisan from Hebei province, a 40-year-old self-taught artist Pu Derongwhich creates stunning three-dimensional images on eggshell.

Eggshell carving - this is far from a new word in art. Are there not many masters who surprise the audience by creating "lace eggs"? On our website Culturology. Ru, we have already talked about the unique works of such foreign artists as Gary LeMaster, Brian Beyty, Wen Fuliang and our compatriot Maria Minsitova. Their work is based on the fact that fancy patterns are created from eggshells by cutting out everything "unnecessary". The resulting "holes" add up to the unprecedented beauty of the image. Pu Derong uses a completely different technique. Using a special knife, he carves pictures on the thinnest egg shell without cutting it.

Pu Derong admits to having been fascinated by the fragility of eggshells since childhood. “Artists use canvases, eggs exist for me,” he says. A talented man born and raised in Dongzhuangtou village, he was fond of painting and calligraphy since childhood. Unfortunately, his family did not have the money for the boy to attend art school, so everything that Pu Derong can do today, he learned on his own. Pu Derong did not work as anyone (both a locksmith and a cook), but always found time to be creative. Once he started experimenting with eggshells, and after hundreds of unsuccessful attempts, he still succeeded. For carving, he made himself a special knife, his fragile matte "canvas" is only 0.3 mm, so the artist has no right to make a mistake. When applying images, he prefers traditional nature paintings, folklore motives or Chinese architecture. Today Pu Derong is one of the recognized world masters, his works receive prizes at prestigious competitions and exhibitions.

In order not to pierce the shell, Pu Derong has to be very painstaking in the creative process. One hasty move can ruin hours of hard work. He says that he remains in suspense from the first second until the moment when everything is finished. Sometimes he uses natural dyes for his paintings, which makes them more expressive. Due to their high calcium content, carved eggs can be stored for a very long time. Some admirers of his work even collect entire collections.