Li Zhe makes a wooden pyrography at a studio of Nanyang Pyrography Factory in Nanyang City, central China's Henan Province, March 15, 2024. Nanyang Pyrography, a traditional Chinese art originated from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-25 AD), has a history of over 2,000 years. The craft, using tools with high temperature to draw patterns on carbonizable materials, creates visual effects resembling traditional Chinese paintings. It was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in 2021.

Li Zhe, 54, is a provincial-level inheritor of Nanyang Pyrography. Having being engaged in the profession for 30 plus years, Li first used iron needle grilled by oil lamp to form patterns on chopsticks and rulers, which made it a difficult task to finish a high-quality pyrography as the temperature of the iron needle was hard to control. With the electric soldering iron replacing the old one, the quality and efficiency of the craftwork are greatly improved.

"The key of Nanyang Pyrography lies in artist's control of the temperature, speed and strength when using the electric soldering iron," Li said, "pyrography's themes cover characters, mountains and rivers, flowers and birds, which are inspired from traditional Chinese paintings."

Since assuming the director of the Nanyang Pyrography Factory in 2008, Li Zhe and his colleagues have created thousands pieces of wooden and silk pyrography. He has also set up an institute on Nanyang Pyrography, which is recognized as a demonstration center for the intangible cultural heritage.

Nowadays, Li Zhe is dedicated to making pyrography products combining both utility and art values. He cooperates with tourist sites to make cultural and creative products, enabling tourists to bring home pyrography works showcasing views and customs in Nanyang. The factory also has explored new ways to promote the craft with schools and companies. In the future, Li hopes that the craft will be popular among common people, especially the young. "I hope that the ancient art will develop well through innovation and inheriting," said Li Zhe. [Xinhua/Gao Songling]