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1.Why did you open the Inkslab Art Museum ? |
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For the convenience of prospective costumers. In early days, our gallery was in Heho village. We have been engaged in inkstones for over eight years and it was inconvenient for those costumers who love inkstones to come to our village. Not only because it was difficult to locate us, but also because the village road was too narrow for cars to come to our village. About twenty years ago, I learned from a newspaper that the mayor of Taichung City advocated a campaign called “culture buses” to encourage people living in Taichung to appreciate Luosishih stone. The bus line ran from Taichung to Ershuei by way of Changhua Baguashan, Lugang, Yuanlin |
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| Baiguoshan, Tianwei, and Tianjhong. Because our studio was located in the country side and the transportation was not convenient for the visitors, we thought that if we had the chance to buy a land on the street frontage and build a gallery, it would be easier for visitors to cover the gallery. Even if they don't have much time and only could stay for five or ten minutes, that's fine. This was our idea twenty years ago.Since then, there are more and more people heard of Luosishih inkstones, due to lots of reports in newspapers, magazines, and interviews on television. | ||
| 2.Would you teach anyone who wish to learn from you? | ||
Of course! Inkstones are the quintessence of Chinese culture, so we should popularize it to every house, every village and make every one in our country know and become interested in inkstones. We have to make our country become a cultural center. |
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3.What are the differences in creating ink stones between the early days and today? |
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In my father's lifetime, they carved a frog, a water buffalo, or a dragon on an inkstone. Today, we pay attention to “originality.” To do something that never been carved before is much more difficult. Besides, we would also try something we like or something about human nature and if the costumers like the works they can buy them. Or we can keep some works about our culture as keepsakes. Nowadays, the images of our works are localized and they are closer to our heart. |
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4. Why would you want to carve inkstone? |
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On the initial stage, I worked to make a living and lived for working. Then I did it out of interest. Once you are interested in something you will be always eager to do it.Although it is a tough job, you will still feel happy and really enjoy working. No matter what you do, after you finish it you will feel satisfied. Now I do it in order to carry over the quintessence of Chinese culture. This is our local industrial estate, and we must enhance and glorify this hereditary treasure. My ultimate goal is that more and more people from inside and outside of Taiwan could know it and like it. In one word, I did it for making a living before, but for promoting its cultural value all over the world now. |
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| 5. Have you ever had the idea of giving up? | ||
Certainly not. I have been very dedicated and concentrated on in what we wanted to do. A work can reflect the perseverance of the creator and bring up a sense of joy and satisfaction to the creator and the collector alike. A good inkstone can attract people and collocate with a good inkstick. A good ink stone can be preserved forever as a collectible souvenir item. |
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