Sculptor Turns Slate into Canvas

Fang Shiying modifies one of her slate “paintings” at a studio in Cangzhou, Hebei province on Nov 27. [Photo by Yuan Liwei for chinadaily.com.cn]

A female sculptor in Hebei province chisels various “paintings” on rock slates.

Her work includes landscapes, flowers, birds, fish and many animal and human figures.

Fang Shiying, 47, is a villager from Cangzhou city in Hebei, without any educational background.

Interested in the art form, she became a skilled sculptor after more than 20 years of practice.

She is now a fifth-generation inheritor of the traditional folk art, which originates from Wuqiao county in Cangzhou during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

Fang Shiying modifies one of her slate “paintings” at a studio in Cangzhou, Hebei province on Nov 27. [Photo by Yuan Liwei for chinadaily.com.cn]

Fang Shiying modifies one of her slate “paintings” at a studio in Cangzhou, Hebei province on Nov 27. [Photo by Yuan Liwei for chinadaily.com.cn]

Fang Shiying wipes one of her slate “paintings” at a studio. [Photo by Yuan Liwei for chinadaily.com.cn]

Fang Shiying shows off her slate “paintings”. [Photo by Yuan Liwei for chinadaily.com.cn]