A jade sculptor's dream(2)

Despite his newfound enthusiasm, sculpting jade came with its life lessons.

"I was making a statuette called The Fair Lady. I poorly carved the head of the figure. Immediately, I cut the head off with my graver and thought the rest could be salvaged into something else. But my master became angry. My master is a descendant of a traditional jade sculpting family. He cherished jade materials very much," Lang recalled.

The master later told Lang that a good sculptor should give priority to saving the jade material rather than discarding a portion as Lang had done. Only through hard work—and not taking shortcuts—could a sculpture be considered high value.

"Sometimes that scene even appears in my dreams," Lang said. "A man's maturity is achieved only after repeated failures. Only by drawing lessons from past can one make a new breakthrough."

Each of Lang's works is a sophisticated blend of traditional culture and contemporary innovation. In 1991, Lang received a reward by the then Ministry of Light Industry for his first agate sculpture The General and the Prime Minister. A year later, another agate sculpture Thunder God also won a prize. Almost every year since, Lang's works have garnered some award or recognition. In 2009, Lang's jade sculpture The Cute Toads won top prize at the People's Hundred Flowers Awards and the top honor at the Fourth Beijing Arts and Crafts Exhibition.

For Lang, a piece does not appear like magic and requires plenty of detailed planning.

"For years I have been accustomed to dealing with various jade and precious stones. I get my initial design inspiration by examining the color, texture and shape of the jade material. Then, I draw an outline on paper, which is revised several times until I am satisfied," Lang said.

New dream

Lang developed his capacity for sculpture—and his exquisite technique—during the more than 10 years he worked at the jade ware factory, improving traditional carving skills through his knowledge of modern art and realism. Because of his innovative techniques, Lang's jade sculptures are imbued with a strong sense of aesthetics and modern taste.

"Chinese jade sculptures stress a romantic charm that demands the statuettes have an excellent integration of both form and aesthetics. But most jade art works fall short of such standards and look similar. In particular, it depends on the ability of the craftsman and whether he can accurately express the meaning of each statuette," Lang said.

Lang has never stopped studying the fine arts since he believes painting is the foundation of sculpture. Moreover, he believes that art should keep up with the times and considers it imperative to revitalize traditional jade sculpting.

After leaving the factory, Lang opened his own sculpting studio in Beijing. "Though I began to work on my own, many of my previous customers would still contact me for business. They like my style and trust my skills," Lang said.

Lang recruits apprentices to further promote his handicraft. He not only covers the cost of lodging for the students but also pays them a salary. "My studio provides them with a good opportunity to practice the art of jade sculpting," said Lang.

"Many of my students are graduates of art academies. They have a keen interest in jade sculpture and a solid foundation in the fine arts. At my studio, I can pass what I know onto them. I never had a chance to go to university, but through my students I can live my dream of going to college to study painting," Lang said.

"My students are like a diamond in the rough. Provided I give them proper instruction and they learn from my experience, they will make their own discoveries. This is why I opened the studio," said Lang.

"As long as you try hard, your jade work will embody its own unique charm."