Mr. Chang-yuen Hung

1. How old are you? How many years have you learned woodcarving?

     I was born in 1987 and now am about 27 or 28. I learn woodcarving for less than a year.

2. Why do you want to learn woodcarving? Why you come to Chin-fu Shih Woodcarving Workshop?

     Because I saw an event held by the government called "Learn from the Best" which introduced some media of traditional craft. They were selecting apprentices. Because I was very interested in it, so I signed up.

     Surprisingly, I was accepted. I spent one year in learning woodcarving here. My major during undergraduate study was Biological Science and Technology. But as I was curious about and interested in woodcarving, I came here. There were many woodcarving masters then in Lukang. When I saw that Master Chin-fu Shih's works were diversified. Some were traditional; while others were modern or abstract. His Works kept changing which was the same as my personality. Thus, I decided to learn from him.

3. What difficulties did you have while learning?

     Difficulties are inevitable. At the beginning, I could not control my hands well while carving. But as I practiced, I gradually grasp the essence. I am still not good enough. And I have a long way to go.

4. What do you think about the learning environment of Chin-fu Shih Woodcarving Workshop? And Master Chin-fu Shih's way of teaching?

     I think the learning environment here is very good. And Master Shih's personality is also very plain and honest. He is not mean. He spends most of his time in woodcarving. He is excellent! For the event of "Learn from the Best", the government will give a subsidiary of NTD5, 000 monthly to each craftsman. But Master Shih's cost is more than that. His devotion on teaching us how to make works is more than NTD5, 000.

(The Work of Mr. Chang-yuen Hung)

Mr. Li-hsiang Ku

1. How old are you? How many years have you learned woodcarving?

     I am 28 years old. I’ve learned woodcarving for a year.

2. Why do you want to learn woodcarving? Why you come to Chin-fu Shih Woodcarving Workshop?

     I worked for one year in a company, but I believed that I should grasp a skill. As I have some talent in drawing, I started to learn woodcarving after I saw the event of "Learn from the Best" on the Internet.

3. What do you think about the learning environment of Chin-fu Shih Woodcarving Workshop?

     The equipment or machines here are perfect. It is unlike most of workshops where they only have one machine. Here is very big. It's an ideal place for working.

4. What difficulties did you have while learning? What are the sources of your inspiration and topics while learning woodcarving?

     Carving knives are what an apprentice of woodcarving must grasp. And the knives contain many techniques. At the beginning, I found it difficult to grind a knife. Later, I overcame the difficulty and felt a sense of achievement while seeing my own works. Master Shih assigned my tasks. And since I am still learning now, I follow the topics he assigns to me.

5. What do you think about Master Chin-fu Shih's way of teaching?

     Though Master Shih learned from traditional techniques, he has his own viewpoints on the international development of woodcarving. He taught us that it would be better to learn from traditional techniques followed by personal creation and combining the development of cultural and creative industries.