Ancient craft of grain painting thrives in Hebei
By: By Zhang Yu in Shijiazhuang
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Ancient craft of grain painting thrives in Hebei
A farmer makes a grain painting in Shoudong village of Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Guo Jiangpeng/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Creating images with different kinds of grain is craft — known as grain painting — that has brought notoriety to a rural village in Hebei province, opening the way for it to sell products globally.
Shoudong village in Handan's Guantao county boasts 11 grain painting companies and four studios. It has established the country's first school for teaching the craft and the first research institute on the craft, the local government said.
A farmer makes a grain painting in Shoudong village of Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Guo Jiangpeng/For chinadaily.com.cn]
According to historical records, residents of the county have been creating paintings with grain since the Tang Dynasty(618-907). They use various kinds of grain and the seeds of different plants as materials in a dozen procedures, including sticking and carving.
The works are rich with landscapes, figures, flowers and birds in a unique rural style.
More than 300 local residents have increased their annual incomes by doing related jobs, the authorities said.
A farmer makes a grain painting in Shoudong village of Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Guo Jiangpeng/For chinadaily.com.cn]
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Farmers make grain paintings in Shoudong village in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province, in mid-October. [Photo by Guo Jiangpeng/For chinadaily.com.cn]
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A farmer makes a grain painting in Shoudong village of Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Guo Jiangpeng/For chinadaily.com.cn]
This grain painting was made by Li Qiuxin in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Li Qiuxin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
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This grain painting was made by Li Qiuxin in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Li Qiuxin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
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This grain painting was made by Li Qiuxin in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Li Qiuxin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
This grain painting was made by Li Qiuxin in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Li Qiuxin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
This grain painting was made by Li Qiuxin in Guantao county of Handan, Hebei province. [Photo by Li Qiuxin/For chinadaily.com.cn]
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I've seen a lot of different forms of creative art in China, but so far this one takes the cake.
A very cool art form.
I've seen this grain painting highlighted before. It never ceases to amaze me at the complexity and beauty some artists achieve.
First time I've seen it.
Nice. I wouldn't have the patience to do something as tedious as that.
I don't think I would either these days, but maybe when I was younger.
Same.
Will post a link to this shortly.
Thank you.
"Seed Mosaics" are a form of folk art often displayed at county fairs.
Those are beauties.
Never hear of it before, but it's pretty cool.
Interesting art form. Chinese culture was historically varied and innovative.