In Yulin City, nestled in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a 3,000-year-old craft is getting a modern glow-up—thanks to master artisan Yang Yanfei and his magical hands. 🪓🎨
Yang, who grew up surrounded by ancient jujube trees (yes, the same ones that’ve been cultivated since the Zhou Dynasty!), discovered his passion for wood carving at 16. His secret? Letting nature guide the art. 🌿 \"Every piece of wood has a story,\" he says. \"My job is to listen to its shape and help it become what it wants to be.\"
From gnarled roots to twisted branches, Yang transforms raw jujube wood—a local symbol of resilience—into intricate sculptures that honor tradition while whispering to Gen Z’s love of organic, imperfect beauty. Think of it as #cottagecore meets ancient Chinese heritage. 🏮✨
Young creatives worldwide are taking notes: Yang’s work proves that preserving history doesn’t mean resisting change. After all, who said millennials and Gen Z can’t vibe with 30-century-old craftsmanship? 📸💡
