Hello everyone, I am Chen Zhigang. Having been involved in the jade industry for over forty years, from my initial apprenticeship with carving tools to my current research and preservation of jade carving art, I have witnessed the continuous evolution and development of jade culture across China. Today, I would like to share some of my latest thoughts on contemporary jade carving art, particularly how it can break free and embrace new vitality in this era of intertwining tradition and innovation.

I. Inheritance and Innovation: Not Opposing, But Coexisting

We often say, "Jade without carving cannot become a vessel," an ancient adage that not only emphasizes the importance of jade carving techniques but also encapsulates the profound philosophical connotations of jade culture. However, in today's rapidly changing world, how to understand and practice the art of "carving" has become a crucial challenge before us.

I have observed that many young jade carvers often find themselves in a dilemma when facing tradition: should they rigidly adhere to it, or boldly innovate? My view is that inheritance and innovation are not opposing forces but rather coexist. Tradition is the foundation, the soul of jade carving art, imbuing jade with life and cultural value; while innovation is the branches and leaves, the essential path for jade carving art to adapt to the times and move towards the future.

For example, I once mentored a young jade carver named Xiao Li. He excelled at traditional floral and bird motifs, with exquisite craftsmanship, but his works always seemed to lack a certain vibrancy. I suggested that while maintaining traditional compositions, he try to incorporate some modern aesthetic elements, such as utilizing the natural "qiao se" (skillfully used natural color variations) of the jade to express a more audacious artistic conception. After repeated attempts, Xiao Li finally created a piece titled "Butterflies Adoring Flowers." This work not only possessed the elegance of traditional floral and bird motifs but also, through clever use of "qiao se," made the butterflies appear to come alive, creating a dynamic interaction with the flowers. This piece was highly acclaimed in the market and helped Xiao Li find a breakthrough in combining tradition and innovation.

II. Materials and Craftsmanship: Deep Exploration, Expanding Boundaries

The charm of jade carving art largely stems from the inherent beauty of the jade material itself. However, for a long time, our understanding and application of jade materials were often limited to their rarity and ornamental value. I believe that contemporary jade carving art should delve deeper into the potential of jade materials and expand their expressive boundaries.

This includes in-depth research into the characteristics of different types of jade. For instance, the warm and subtle nature of Hetian jade, the vibrant green of jadeite, the colorful diversity of agate, the rich hues of Dushan jade... each type of jade has its unique "language." A jade carver should be like a poet, using different jade languages to express different emotions and artistic conceptions.

Furthermore, innovation in craftsmanship is also crucial. While traditional techniques such as round carving, relief carving, and openwork carving are classic, we can also try to introduce new techniques, such as laser carving, ultrasonic carving, and other modern technologies. We can even explore the combination of jade with other materials to create works with greater visual impact and artistic appeal.

I once participated in a project to design jade decorations for a modern building. Instead of simply using jade as ornaments, we boldly embedded entire pieces of jade into the walls, utilizing their natural textures and luster, combined with modern lighting technology, to create a shimmering and artistic effect. This was not only an innovative application of jade material but also a successful expansion of the expressive forms of jade carving art.

III. Aesthetics and Market: Returning to Authenticity, Leading Trends

The ultimate value of jade carving art lies in its aesthetic and market value. In the tide of the market economy, the jade carving industry also faces some challenges, such as homogeneous competition and excessive commercialization.

I believe that to address these issues, the key is to return to the authenticity of jade carving art while actively leading market trends. Returning to authenticity means upholding the cultural connotations and spiritual pursuits of jade carving art, not blindly catering to the market, and not sacrificing artistic quality. Leading trends, on the other hand, requires us to possess a forward-looking vision, to discern changes in consumer aesthetic demands, and to create works that are both artistically valuable and in tune with the times.

For example, in recent years, minimalist and abstract jade carving works have become increasingly popular among young people. This does not mean that traditional themes are outdated, but rather a shift in consumer aesthetic concepts. Jade carvers can try to refine and simplify traditional elements, presenting them in a more modern way. I have seen some young jade carvers abstractly process traditional auspicious cloud patterns and integrate them into modern jewelry designs, retaining traditional charm while aligning with contemporary aesthetics.

IV. Conclusion and Outlook

Contemporary jade carving art is in an era full of opportunities and challenges. Inheritance and innovation, materials and craftsmanship, aesthetics and market – these three are interconnected and together constitute the core propositions for the development of jade carving art.

My suggestions are:

  • Deeply study traditional culture: The foundation of jade carving art lies in excellent Chinese traditional culture. Only by deeply understanding its essence can works with depth and rich connotations be created.


  • Dare to innovate: Do not be afraid of failure. Boldly explore new design concepts, crafting techniques, and material applications to inject new vitality into jade carving art.


  • Pay attention to market demand: Understand consumer aesthetic preferences and purchasing habits, creating works that are both artistically valuable and meet market needs.


  • Strengthen industry exchange: Communicate and learn more with peers, jointly discuss the future direction of jade carving art, fostering healthy competition and cooperation.


I believe that as long as we, the jade carvers, can uphold our original aspirations and forge ahead with determination, we will surely enable this ancient art of jade carving to radiate even more brilliant light in the new era, truly realizing the "New Language of Jade Soul" and achieving a magnificent metamorphosis!

Thank you all.