Chen Ping - Inheritor of Stone-carving Skill in Changning County, Baoshan 

Chen Ping is a highly respected folk stone carving artist from Changning County (昌宁县), Baoshan City (保山市). Recognized as a representative inheritor of the second batch of Yunnan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage, he is renowned locally for his self-taught mastery of stone carving. His artistic journey began with a foundation in painting, later evolving into stone engraving and carving, where he combined traditional craftsmanship with personal innovation. Among his many works, the three monumental marble-carved “giant dragons” he designed and created in 1996 for Longtan Farmers’ Park (龙潭农民公园) remain iconic local landmarks. Even at an advanced age, he continues to pass on his skills by running a quarry and mentoring apprentices, making important contributions to the preservation and development of local traditional culture.

Personal Information

• Name: Chen Ping (陈平)

• Ethnicity: Han

• Born: 1943 (age 82 in 2025)

• Hometown: Youxun Town, Changning County (昌宁县右旬镇); currently residing in Tianyuan Town (田园镇)

• Honors: Provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor (1999); designated as a “Village Craftsman” in Changning County in 2025

Artistic Features and Style

• Artistic Foundation: From a young age, Chen Ping loved painting, with works often selected for school exhibitions. After returning to farming upon finishing high school, he continued art studies, learning painting and calligraphy under teachers from the county cultural center. These skills laid a solid foundation for his later stone carving career.

• Self-Taught Mastery: Without formal professional training, Chen developed his craft independently through observation, experimentation, and practice, giving his works a distinctive personal style.

• Fusion of Tradition and Innovation: His carvings preserve the aesthetic depth of traditional stone sculpture while incorporating modern artistic sensibilities.

• Subject Matter: His themes range from auspicious animals such as dragons and lions to diverse figurative works. The most representative are the monumental marble dragons in Longtan Farmers’ Park.

• Craftsmanship Process: Though detailed records of his personal methods are limited, Yunnan stone carving generally involves selecting stone, shaping, roughing out, hollowing, refining, texturing, polishing, and waxing—steps likely reflected in his works.

Representative Works

• Marble “Giant Dragons” in Longtan Farmers’ Park (龙潭农民公园): In 1996, Chen created three massive marble dragon sculptures for the park on the banks of the Kuke River (枯柯河) in Kassba (卡斯坝). These works became emblematic of the local landscape.

• “Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea Golden Melon and Treasure Vase” (八仙过海金瓜宝瓶): Co-created with Jin Yongcai, this piece won the Gold Award at the 10th Yunnan Arts & Crafts “Gongmei Cup,” highlighting his professional recognition at the provincial level.

• Calligraphy Works: Beyond stone carving, Chen also produces calligraphy pieces, including inscriptions like “Spring returns to Earth bringing blessings to all, advancing together toward prosperity” and “Remain true to the original aspiration.” Some of these were exhibited in 2024 at Changning County’s “Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the PRC” Art Exhibition.

Transmission and Contributions

• Apprenticeship System: Chen actively recruits and trains apprentices, ensuring continuity of stone carving traditions through a master-apprentice model.

• Industrial Development: By establishing a quarry and acquiring machinery, he merged traditional craftsmanship with modern production methods, boosting efficiency and securing material support for heritage transmission.

• Craftsman to Entrepreneur: His transformation from folk artisan to quarry operator exemplifies how traditional skills can evolve into sustainable cultural industries.

• Local Influence: His personal success and recognition have elevated the social standing of stone carvers within Changning County.

Cultural Background of Changning Stone Carving

• Historical Roots: Stone carving in Yunnan dates back to prehistoric times, flourishing during the Tang and Song Dynasties under the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms. Changning’s stone carving is part of this long tradition.

• Regional Traits: Baoshan stone carving spans both large-scale sculptures and small decorative pieces. Changning reflects these broader regional features.

• Techniques: Yunnan carving methods include round carving, relief, line carving, deep carving, and openwork, known for vivid and lifelike detail.

• Cultural Integration: Influences from Central China and local ethnic cultures have merged into Yunnan stone carving, with Changning’s tradition embodying this multicultural fusion.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection in Changning

• Protection Framework: Changning maintains 61 registered ICH items (1 national, 3 provincial, 18 municipal, 39 county-level) with 74 recognized inheritors (1 national, 4 provincial, 36 municipal, 33 county-level).

• Support Measures: The county enforces regulations and funding support for inheritors, providing regular evaluations and financial incentives to encourage teaching and innovation.

• Heritage Projects: Local ICH items include Miao costumes, the epic “Divine Spider”, suona music, mushroom-processing techniques, Dianhong tea craftsmanship, papermaking, cave music, wood carving, dough modeling, and farmers’ paintings. Stone carving is an essential part of this cultural ecosystem.

• Transmission Bases: Dedicated cultural centers and heritage bases offer spaces for creation, education, and display, strengthening protection and revitalization.

Conclusion

As a leading representative inheritor of stone carving in Changning County, Chen Ping has played a pivotal role in preserving and innovating this ancient craft. Through his monumental works such as the marble dragons at Longtan Farmers’ Park, his award-winning creations, and his active teaching and quarry enterprise, he has ensured that traditional stone carving remains both artistically vital and socially relevant. His lifelong dedication demonstrates how intangible cultural heritage can be both preserved and dynamically renewed for future generations.