Zhang Jiashui works on a bamboo weaving artwork at his studio in Changshan county, Zhejiang province. [Photo/qz828.com]

Zhang Jiashui, 68, is a craftsman from Changshan county of Quzhou, Zhejiang who has been dedicated to the art of bamboo weaving since the 1960s.

For the purpose of making a living, Zhang started to learn how to make bamboo products from his father at the age of 12. It was a hard time for him at the very beginning. "My hands were often scratched but I had to keep practicing," Zhang recalled.

From making repairs to weaving bamboo products by himself, Zhang has been polishing his skills and innovating the art for decades, winning much praise from villagers.

Zhang is a third generation family member who has been engaged in the handicraft, but he found it difficult to pass it on to his son. "The times have changed. Plastic products are replacing the bamboo baskets and crates, and few people are willing to learn the seemingly outdated art of bamboo weaving," said the craftsman.

In 2014, Zhang was recognized as Quzhou's folk art master, which won him the attraction from a collector called Fan Yueyong. Fan said Zhang's works have much artistic value and promised to help him promote the art. The collector's words helped Zhang regain confidence.

To increase the public awareness of bamboo weaving, Zhang has taught art classes in a primary school every Wednesday since the second half of 2017 and has established a studio to better delve into the art.

Zhang thought the key to make bamboo weaving more attractive is to keep pace with the times and inject new vitality into it.

"To make good artwork needs new ideas," said Zhang. He explained that he is trying to showcase the West Lake landmarks such as Leifeng Pagoda in his latest bamboo weaving works.

For the future, Zhang said his biggest wish is to cultivate a group of young people to inherit and promote the time-honored handicraft.

A display of Zhang's bamboo weaving products [Photo/qz828.com]