Carving a new path, boxwood artisan rides Wukong wave

Ye Xiaopeng makes a boxwood carving product. Photo: Courtesy of Ye Xiaopeng

As the Chinese AAA game Black Myth: Wukonggains widespread popularity, its unique artistic style and profound cultural depth have invigorated the cultural and creative market. 

A representative inheritor of the Chinese intangible cultural heritage of boxwood carving, Ye Xiaopeng's original boxwood carving of Sun Wukong, or Wukong, also known as the Monkey King become highly sought after.

Originating in East China's Zhejiang Province, the craft of boxwood carving uses boxwood, known for its tough, smooth texture, fine grain, and yellow hue reminiscent of ivory. Over time, the wood darkens, acquiring a unique and rustic charm.

"Boxwood grows slowly, and the material is limited. The manual carving process is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Initially, I just wanted to showcase a few works featuring China's superhero, Sun Wukong. But after the game became a hit, these works were snapped up in an instant," Ye told the Global Times.

When discussing the boxwood carving's rise in popularity, Ye believes that the integration of traditional craftsmanship with digital technology has drawn more young people to the practice, enabling a "seamless connection" between intangible cultural heritage and modern aesthetics. This fusion breathes new life into traditional crafts, making them trendy.

A Ye Xiaopeng's boxwood carving work of the Monkey King Photo: Courtesy of Ye Xiaopeng