Mother-of-pearl inlay artisan teaches craft to inmates
Mother-of-pearl inlay artisan teaches craft to inmates
2026-07-20
Mother-of-pearl inlay is a centuries-old craft that involves shaping thin pieces of iridescent shell and embedding them into objects. This traditional art is in danger of disappearing as artisans age without apprentices to take over. But one artisan has been teaching at Hsinchu Prison, inspiring many inmates to take an interest. Chen Fu-chiang hopes this beautiful art can help them regain a sense of purpose and hope in life.
Using a grinding wheel, an artist carefully sculpts seashells into a flower and inlays it onto a wooden board, creating a beautiful work of art.
A master at this kind of mother-of-pearl inlay work, artisan Chen Fu-chiang is also an attentive teacher. The art form involves shaping thin pieces of shells and embedding them into objects. But this highly delicate and intricate craft is in danger of disappearing. Now that he’s found more interested students, Mr. Chen sees hope for the future.
Chen Fu-chiang
Shell inlay artisan
The warden really values this tradition, so he invited me to the prison to teach it. They exceeded my expectations. They selected people who had artistic backgrounds or were skilled with their hands, and they learned very quickly.
Invited to teach at Hsinchu Prison, Mr. Chen does not treat these students any differently just because they’re inmates. He gives each one an equal opportunity to learn.
Chen Fu-chiang
Shell inlay artisan
I often tell him, that student, if you don’t know, then just ask.
Han Chih-hsiang
Hsinchu Prison officer
It’s important that those who come are willing to learn and can sit still. Of course, during the process, some students discover that it’s too tiring and challenging, so they might choose to leave the class.
Under Mr. Chen’s patient tutelage, many inmates have found a sense of accomplishment from learning a beautiful art form they never thought they would have the chance to try.
Inmate
I’ve learned to focus and work diligently, and it’s helped me manage my bad temper and negative thoughts.
Inmate
We have to do each step very meticulously and carefully, to the best of our ability, before we can move on to the next one. I think the same principle should apply to life in the future as well.
Studying mother-of-pearl inlay helps these inmates find a sense of accomplishment and unlearn bad habits, giving them and their teacher new hope for the future.
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#prison #art #teacher #artist #motherofpearlinlay #tradition #motherofpearl #shellinlay
傳承沒落國寶! 螺鈿國寶大師入監傳藝 獄友重拾人生光采
2026-07-20
螺鈿是一種傳統的貝殼鑲嵌工藝，這種國寶級的手藝正面臨失傳，但在新竹監獄，邀請螺鈿大師陳甫強，在獄中開班授課，也啟發許多獄友對螺鈿工藝的興趣，看著他們在貝殼上精雕細琢的模樣，陳甫強希望能幫他們重拾人生的光采與希望。
小心翼翼，用刻磨機，把貝殼雕成美麗的花朵，鑲進雕刻好的木板上，成為一件美麗的藝術品。
螺鈿師傅陳甫強關心每位學員的學習狀況。螺鈿是一種傳統的貝殼鑲嵌工藝，是將磨薄的貝殼，切割成圖案後鑲嵌在漆器或木器表面，不過由於工法細緻繁複，一度失傳，如今最讓陳甫強感到欣慰的，原以為無人接手的螺鈿工藝，如今看到曙光。
[[螺鈿師傅 陳甫強]]
“典獄長他是很珍惜這個文化的，叫我到監獄來教，他們出乎我意料之外，他們真的是挑出來，有些人美術底子好的，手藝比較巧的，他們學的很快”
受邀到"新竹監獄"為獄友授課，但陳甫強不因他們的身分特殊，教學有所差異，在他眼裡每一位獄友都是他的學生。
[[螺鈿師傅 陳甫強]]
“我常常跟他講，跟那個學生講，不知道你就問”
[[新竹監獄作業科長 韓志翔]]
“重點是要願意學，願意坐得住的人，他才適合來這邊，那過程中當然也有一些同學，他在學習，他發現，真的是太累太辛苦了，他就可能會選擇退出這個班級”
在陳甫強的耐心指導下，許多獄友獲得前所未有的成就感，因為這是他們從未想過的生活。
[[獄友學員 A先生]]
“覺得學習到一種專注和細膩的心態，也磨掉過去一些不好的脾氣和思想”
[[獄友學員 B先生]]
“我們每一個步驟就必須仔仔細細，好好的做，做到最好，才能做到下一個步驟，進而延伸到，其實將來生活上，應該也是如此”
螺鈿工藝不僅讓獄友出獄後能有一技之長，也磨掉過去的不光采，為人生下半場重新點燃希望。
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