Video tells life story of Chen Chi-tsun, wood sculptor and Living National Treasure

2022-07-25

Today we take a look at the work of sculptor Chen Chi-tsun. Chen has been carving traditional religious figures from wood since he was 14. Now he is a Living National Treasure. The story of his life was recently made into a short film by the General Association of Chinese Culture. It reveals the determination he showed to learn carving as a teenager, and the commitment it took to devote his life to the craft.

The video tells the whole story of how Chen Chi-tsun became a sculptor.

Chen Chi-tsun
Sculptor
People used to say, “If you have a skill, you have rice to eat.” So back then I told my father “I want to go study sculpting.”

Chen shares his entire career, from student, to apprentice sculptor, to master of the craft.

Chen Chi-tsun
Sculptor
From technique to art, one gradually enters the spirit of the craft. Through the work you enter a special state of mind.

The “Soul of the Craftsman” series from GACC celebrates the art, passion and cultural heritage of Taiwan’s premier craftsmen. This latest video focuses on Chen’s journey through wood carving. He was awarded this flag to celebrate his achievements by GACC Vice President Chiang Chun-nan.

Chen Chi-tsun
Sculptor
How can we use our efforts to realize our work? That is what I’d like to offer the young people of today as a question to consider.

Chen was born in Tainan in 1963. He began learning to carve traditional statues of gods aged 14. He opened his first workshop at 24. In 2019, the Ministry of Culture recognized Chen as an important guardian of traditional wood sculpting skills. He was the youngest wood sculptor ever to be named a Living National Treasure. His life of work is a gift for Tainan as well as for all of Taiwan.

文化總會頒木雕藝師陳啟村 "匠人魂"錦旗

2022-07-25

為了紀錄台灣百工百業的精神，文化總會推出匠人魂系列影片，走訪全國各地，彰顯台灣職人的故事。最近一期影片發布，介紹人間國寶的雕刻家陳啟村老師。並且由文總副會長江春男，親頒匠人魂錦旗，肯定陳啟村的文化貢獻。

影片中緩緩的道出，雕刻大師陳啟村入行的緣由。

[[人間國寶雕刻家陳啟村]]
“我們以前的人說，有一手工夫就有飯吃，所以當下我就跟我父親講說，我想要去學雕刻”

從學徒到雕刻師，甚至成為藝術家，陳啟村也分享一路走來的心路歷程。

[[人間國寶雕刻家陳啟村]]
“從技進到藝，進而入道，在作品的呈現裡面，就會走到了一個所謂的，心境的一個境界裡面”

這是文化總會表揚陳啟村老師，在木雕工藝的傑出成就，以及他對文化創作與傳承的熱忱，所拍製的匠人魂影片，文總副會長江春男，也親頒匠人魂錦旗，肯定陳啟村的文化貢獻。

[[人間國寶雕刻家陳啟村]]
“我們怎樣用個人的努力，然後去成就我們自己的工作，這個是可以提供給，當下的年輕人一個參考”

1963年出生於台南的陳啟村，從14歲起學習傳統神像雕塑，24歲就成立雕塑工作室，2019年獲得文化部登錄，傳統木雕重要匠師保存者，成為傳統木雕最年輕的人間國寶，不僅是台南之光，更是台灣之光。從他的木雕作品，以及他一生懸命的匠人精神，也看見台南傳統工藝之美，看見台灣之美。