The Art of Nature and Painting | Wang Yibu Jade Carving Art Exhibition

Suzhou has a long-standing tradition of jade carving and crafting, producing many renowned masters, with Lu Zigang of the Ming Dynasty as a prime example. He pioneered the integration of poetry, calligraphy, painting, and seal carving into jade, leaving a profound influence. Today, young talents in Suzhou's jade carving community continue to emerge, inheriting the ancient charm while boldly innovating, showcasing distinct personal styles and contemporary spirit.

The Suzhou Museum, in collaboration with young jade carving artist Wang Yibu, presents "Jiangnan Creation — Wang Yibu Jade Carving Art Exhibition," displaying the elegance and refined taste of literati jade carving, interpreting the fusion and coexistence of Suzhou jade carving craftsmanship, Jiangnan cultural traditions, and contemporary spirit. The exhibition hall is symmetrically divided into two colors, green and white; the white is warm and smooth like white fat jade, and the green is elegant and clear, complementing each other harmoniously. The exhibition features 42 pieces/sets of Wang Yibu’s jade carvings, divided into three main sections: "Jade Embracing All Phenomena," "Life in Jade," and "Listening to the Jade’s Song," gradually unfolding a jade carving world rich in meaning through multiple dimensions such as material texture, color, form language, and basic craftsmanship.

Suzhou jade carving style is ethereal and graceful, with delicate and exquisite craftsmanship and diverse themes. Wang Yibu, trained in calligraphy and painting, skillfully integrates traditional artistic concepts and techniques into jade carving, creating a unique artistic language. He draws on the texture strokes from landscape painting to develop his signature technique "Curved Water Carving," which includes five basic forms: "Flowing Water," "Terraced Fields," "Chubby Baby," "Leaking Marks," and "Sand Scratching." Additionally, he innovated the "Eye-Dotting Carving" and "Three-Dimensional Freehand" techniques, further expanding the artistic expressiveness of jade carving.

In terms of subject matter, Wang Yibu draws inspiration from the transcendent aura of Wei and Jin dynasty sculptures and the clear, distant atmosphere of Song and Yuan ink paintings. He applies the infinite charm of "negative space" in Chinese painting and the literati freehand brushwork to jade carving, resulting in a naturally minimalist style with profound and distant artistic conception. His works embody the artistic temperament of "simplicity, tranquility, emptiness, and elegance," exuding a majestic yet unrestrained aura, with a refined and ethereal tone.

Technically, he integrates traditional essence with the natural characteristics of jade, creating the "Curved Water Carving" technique that flows like drifting clouds and flowing water, vigorous yet serene, forming a distinctive style.

▍Exhibition Information
Exhibition Dates: June 28, 2025 – December 7, 2025
Exhibition Location: No. 204 Northeast Street, Gusu District, Suzhou
Suzhou Museum Main Hall · Nanmu Hall of the Loyal King’s Mansion

Post by FootstepsOfWanderers | Oct 17, 2025