Move over traditional artisans – 60-year-old Uncle Hu is redefining Beijing’s Shichahai art scene with woodcarvings so abstract they’ve become Gen Z’s latest obsession! 🪑🎨 For 17 years, this humble craftsman has quietly shaped mysterious wooden forms at his lakeside stall, never chasing trends… until trends came chasing him.
"I just carve what the wood tells me," Uncle Hu told NewspaperAmigo, chiseling a piece that might be a rabbit… or maybe a cloud? 🤔 Crowds now gather daily to play #WhatIsItChallenge, snapping Instagram stories of his latest creations. One visitor described it as "TikTok meets Tang Dynasty" – ancient craft meets modern mystery.
Cultural experts say his rise reflects 2026’s youth craving slow art in our fast-scroll world. As one art student put it: "His carvings aren’t perfect – they’re alive." 🔥
