Life of Guangzhou - Guangdong's "Ivory Boat Magnate"

Pan Chuju, retired master of ivory carving, often goes back to the factory to give instruction to the young craftsmen. (Guangzhou Daily)

After half a century of devotion to the craft of ivory carving, 72-year-old master Pan Chuju's skills have reached their peak, even though his productivity has been greatly handicapped by the shortness of ivory. Nevertheless, since his retirement Pan often returns to the Guangzhou Daxin Carving Factory to coach his apprentices.

Six-story Pleasure Boat – A Sensation in Tokyo

Born to a poor family in Guangdong's Foshan city, Pan became a craft shop assistant in Guangzhou when he was 14. At first, he spent his spare time learning to carve simple jewelry and seals, but eventually began acquiring the skills to make elaborate ivory boat sculptures.

Master Pan often says "In order to achieve something in ivory carving, one needs to be indifferent to fame and wealth." In those early years, he remained unconcerned with fame and fortune, yet always focused on improving his skills – despite the small income.

Pan said that 50 years ago it was shocking for the Guangzhou Daxin Carving Factory to produce a painted two story pleasure boat. But when a major Hong Kong artist left behind an unfinished sculpture – leaving the people at their wits' end – Pan Chuju succeeded in completing it in several days without sleep or rest.

Since then, Pan has maintained steady progress. In 1962, a 65cm long and six story tall boat sculpture made its debut at the Guangzhou Export Commodities Fair, creating much excitement, while yet another six story boat caused a stir in Tokyo.

Innumerable Boats Carved, but Known for Only One

Having worked in the field for more than half a century, even master Pan himself is not sure how many painted pleasure boats he has created or how many tons of materials have been consumed. What is so startling about this "boat magnate" is that there are so few boats under his name, even though he has crafted so many.

Most of Pan's work cannot be identified because he has seldom signed them. The "Peacock Painted Pleasure Boat," the only one with his name on it, is displayed at the Guangzhou Chen Jia Ci Min Jian Art Museum, which attracts many tourists everyday.

However, Master Pan shows no regret, believing that it is not personal benefit but the renaissance of Guangdong ivory carving that really counts.

Full Confidence in the Future of Guangdong Ivory Carving

During the heyday of Guangdong ivory carving, Master Pan had more than 20 apprentices. But with elephants nearing extinction, China no longer imports ivory, leaving the carving business without raw materials. Most of his apprentices have turned to other careers, but not Ye Hansheng, who is already over 50 and close to retirement.

Nowadays, many ivory carving artists continue the craft with mammoth teeth and cattle bones as substitutes. Master Pan says that even though Ye Hansheng is about to retire, he also has another disciple, a man just over 20 who has been studying the craft for three years. Master Pan returns regularly to give him instruction every month.

Concerning Guangdong ivory carving, master Pan is full of confidence, saying that it could be revived someday if the issue of materials and talent can be solved.

Profile:

Pan Chuju, an ivory carving master, was born in 1936 in Nanhai, Guangdong. He has been specially engaged in the practice for many years and holds a post at the Guangzhou Daxin Carving Factory.

Known as the "Ivory Boat Magnate" by experts, he has created all sorts of ivory boats over the past 50 years, many of which have been exhibited at home and abroad. His masterpiece, "Pair of Phoenix and Morning Sun," a 15 story painted ivory pleasure boat, is stored at the China National Arts & Crafts Museum.

(by Ji Lanrong, Stephen Roach)