Lantern artist celebrates birds
Back to festivals
Lanterns these days are used mainly for decoration, but in the old days they had a much more practical purpose, providing both light and security.
Traditional lanterns in Taiwan are usually cylindrical with beautiful pictures adorning the surface.
A master of this ancient craft, award-winning lantern artist and art teacher Mr Wang Chen-Wen, will share his 20 years’ experience by demonstrating his painting skills at the Lantern Festival.
The author of “The art of Traditional Lanterns”, Mr Wang is also an internationally renowned bird artist who uses lantern-making to promote environmental conservation and bird protection.
In addition to birds, Mr Wang’s lanterns feature auspicious symbols in Chinese culture such as dragons, phoenixes and peonies.
In the old days, only the imperial family could have dragon designs. The five-clawed dragon was reserved for the Emperor. Dragons with four or three claws were for people of lower rank.
Mr Wang and his talented wife, contemporary paper artist Tung Pi-Er, will demonstrate each night at the Auckland Lantern Festival from February 26-28.
The Taiwanese lantern artist is visiting New Zealand courtesy of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office and the Council for Cultural Affairs, Taiwan.
