Exhibition showcases stone carving artistry

An opening ceremony of the 16th Chinese Stone Carving Exhibition takes place yesterday morning. 

Photos courtesy of the Qingtian County People's Government

The 16th Chinese Stone Carving Exhibition commenced at the Sea World Culture and Arts Center in Shekou yesterday morning, providing residents with a firsthand experience of the beauty and charm of China’s four national stones.

The exhibition showcases nearly 600 masterpieces from the four major national stone-producing areas, including representative stone sculptures created by masters of arts and crafts. The four national stones featured in the exhibition are Qingtian stone, Changhua stone, Shoushan stone, and Balin stone.

An overview of the exhibition hall.

Qingtian stone, predominantly sourced from Qingtian County in Zhejiang Province, is perhaps the most widely used type of seal stone. It is a volcanic rock with a recorded usage history of over 1,700 years.

Changhua stone, originating from Changhua Town in Zhejiang Province, is predominantly opaque in nature. There are various subcategories of Changhua stone, but the most precious ones are free from impurities.

A bird-shaped stone carving.

Shoushan stone comes from the Shoushan Township, located in the northern suburb of Jin’an District in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province. With a usage history of over 1,500 years in China, Shoushan stone comprises more than 10 subcategories and can come in colors such as white, milky white, gray, red, pink, and light blue as well as others.

Balin stone originates from Mongolia and was discovered more than 800 years ago. In history, it was specially reserved for royal use and was named by Genghis Khan as the “stone granted by god.” It comes in various colors, with green, white, and yellow being the most common, while pink stones are considered more precious.

A paddy-shaped stone carving.

Since its launch in 2005, the Chinese Stone Carving Exhibition has grown to become the highest-standard, largest, and most influential national event in China’s stone carving industry. The exhibition aims to explore the historical and cultural significance, enhance the artistic and ornamental value of the four national stones, and promote China’s traditional cultural industries. Hosted by the four areas on a rotating basis, this year’s exhibition is hosted by the Qingtian County People’s Government.

Date: Nov. 23 to 29

Ticket: Free

Add: Sea World Culture and Arts Center, Shekou, Nanshan District (南山区蛇口海上世界文化艺术中心)

Metro: Lines 2, 8, or12 to Sea World Station (海上世界站), Exit A.