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Wood Block Print – The Peach Party

02/18/2015 //
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

W560xH340mm, China

Every year on the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West, 3rd of lunar March, there will be a peach party and all the saints will be invited and feast on special peaches.  A bite of these magic peaches will make one immortal but there are extremely rare, they take 3000 years to flower, 3000 to bare fruits and another 3000 years to ripe.

In the middle of the wood block print is the Queen Mother with two of female saints by her sides.  Below, holding a bowl full of peaches is the Monkey King who mischievously stole some of the peaches.  On the left side of the Monkey King is the God of longevity with his deer on the Monkey’s right.  The crane by the God of longevity is saint Dong Fang Shuo who was so obsessed with tasting the magic peaches that he turned into a crane in order to be nearer to the peach. The 8 saints joining the party are Eight Immortals –  from (left to right, top to bottom) are Philosopher Han Xiang Zi (with the xiao pipe), Philosopher Han Xiang Zi, Lan Cai He (with magic basket), Leader Lu Dong Bin (with sword), Royal Uncle Cao Guo Jiu (with castanets),  Iron-Crutch Tie Guai Li,  Immortal lady He Zian Gu (with magic lotus) and Elder Zhang Guo Lao.  Click here to see the symbolism of the magic tools.

This word block print will make an ideal birthday present.

Come to see the actual print and many others at the
New Year Print Exhibition

MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT
CHINESE WOOD BLOCK PRINT COLLECTION

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Categories event, painting / prints, paper

Wood Block Print – Fish to Dragon Transformation

02/16/2015 //
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

W570xH430mm, China

Dragons are supreme mythical creatures, even the Emperor are symbolised by the dragon.  It is believed that when the carp fish can jump through the narrow section, known as the Dragon Gate, in Chuan Jiang River it will become a dragon.  Every year during spring time, at the down stream of the Dragon Gate gathers thousands of fish, because of the pinch in the stream the current is especially strong and being upstream only the most capable fish can make it through the gate.

The transformation from fish to dragon is a blessing parents wish for their children, from the ordinary carp into the mythical dragon.

Come to see the actual print and many others at the
New Year Print Exhibition

MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT
CHINESE WOOD BLOCK PRINT COLLECTION

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Categories event, painting / prints, paper

Pottery Art by Chris Lo

08/25/2014 //
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MF-chris-lo

We are honored to have a series of work by ceramic artist Chris Lo for Mountain Folkcraft.

Chris Lo is a local ceramic artist.  Graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1990. Chris has been specializing in ceramics since 1993.  Three years later, he founded Cobo Ceramic Workshop and continue to explore the relationship among man, time and space which are well expressed in his work.  Chris has participated in numerous exhibitions in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan and Europe. His works are collected by the Hong Kong Museum of Art, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the National Museum of Chinese History (Beijing) and private collectors.

Catch the Collide / Converge exhibition to see Chris and other’s ceramic sculpture before it closes on the thur the 28th.

Watch this space for the following days to see the collection!

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Categories container, event, pottery, Uncategorized

Ha Wan Po

12/09/2013 //
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The new issue of Ha Wan Po has arrived!

Ha Wan Pao is a monthly paper about people who make beautiful things. whether they’re making comic books, tofu or shoes; what they have in common is the quiet pursuit of excellence.

And guess what Mountain Folkcraft is featured in this issue.
Come and get your copy now!

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Categories paper, Uncategorized

Something Old Something New – Jewellery Collection

11/17/2013 //
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something old something new

Something Old Something New
Come and see our new collection of jellewery!

We are open Monday – Saturday, 10:00 to 18:30.

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Categories event, jewellery

Ha Wan Po

10/25/2013 //
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You can now also find the Han Wan Po at Mountain Folkcraft.

Ha Wan Pao is a monthly paper about people who make beautiful things. whether they’re making comic books, tofu or shoes; what they have in common is the quiet pursuit of excellence.

Ha Wan (下環) is an old name for wanchai – the hong kong neighbourhood where the project was born.

hwp is created by anna gleeson with contributions from furze chan.

Its a very interested paper and we love it, come and get a copy!

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Categories paper, Uncategorized

Furniture Collection

10/16/2013 //
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furniture

Come and take a look at our collection of furniture!

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Categories furniture / architecture, Uncategorized, wood

Garuda – Khyung

05/27/2013 //
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garudaW250xD80xH220mm, Tibet

The Garuda is a mystical bird who appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythologies.  An ancient symbol of the Hindu sun, Garuda is the vehicle of the god Vishnu and his wife.  He has the golden body of a man, white face with an eagle’s beak,a pair of red wings, two horns, a crown on his head and eats naga (snakes) for a meal.  In Buddhism, he is the vehicle of Vajrapani and the symbol of the transcendent Buddha Amoghasiddhi.  In Tibetan Buddhism, Garuda fuses with the mythical Himalayan Khyung bird of fire and became a god both for Bon (ancient Tibetan religion) and Tibetan Buddism.

In the Tibetan legend, Garuda stole a jewel from Naga king of Mount Meru, he carefully swallow the jewel and later vomited out.  (The jewel is on the crown of this figurine).  It seems no coincident the Tibetan rememdy for snake bite is the vomit of the eagle.

ASIAN FOLKCRAFT COLLECTION
SOIL X MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT

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Categories figurine, metal

Buddha’s Birthday

05/16/2013 //
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buddha's birthday

W130xD70xH400mm, Thailand

Tomorrow is the 2557th birthday of the Buddha, Vesakh, a holy day that commensurate the birth, enlightenment and death of  Gautama Buddha by Buddhist all over the world.  The date of the celebration differ slightly throughout the different countries, 8th of lunar April, in Thailand for example, Vesakh is on the 24th May. 

On this special day, the devoted Buddhist will observe the 8 Precepts:

  1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
  2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
  3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
  4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
  5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
  6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).
  7. I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
  8. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

If you happen to be in Hong Kong, join in the celebration.

ASIAN FOLKCRAFT COLLECTION
SOIL X MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT

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Categories figurine, lacquer, Mountain Folkcraft X Soil, wood

Lacquerware with Burmese Astrology Symbols

05/13/2013 //
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tray

W200xL310xH20mm, Myanmar

According to Burmese astrology, there are eight days in a week. They are Sunday, Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday (till noon), Rahu (Wednesday afternoon till the next morning), Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Burmese people believe that the astrological day a person was born is a great determinant in his or her personality and life. For example, a person born on Monday would be jealous; on Tuesday. Honest; on Wednesday, short tempered but soon calm again; the trait being intensified on the so called eighth day of Rahu; on Thursday, mild; on Friday, talkative; on Saturday, hot tempered and quarrelsome; and on Sunday, miserly.

Burmese also believe that interpersonal relation between people is also determined by the day they were born. For example, Monday born and Friday born would not get along well while Monday born and Wednesday or Rahu (Wednesday evening) born would get along very well. At the pagodas in Myanmar, there are always eight planetary posts build into the pagoda structure, with the representative animal symbols, where the believers could donate offerings at their respective planets to influence the appropriate powers.

These astrological symbols are often depicted on traditional Burmese lacquerware. The lacquered tray shown here is decorated with brass wire and the symbols are delicately made by palm skin.

This is one of the many Burmese lacquer ware from the SOIL collection, come check it out at the Asian Folkcraft event on at Mountain Folkcraft!

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Categories container, lacquer, Mountain Folkcraft X Soil
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