Contemporary Bamboo Steamer (Intangible cultural heritage of Hong Kong)
Story of learning traditional craftmanship
While bamboo steamers are still widely used in Chinese restaurants across Hong Kong, the craftsmanship of handmade steamers has slowly declined since the 1980s, leaving only a few craftsmen (only two in Hong Kong) who can still master the craft of making bamboo steamer by hand nowadays.
Contemporary artist Inkgo Lam has admired the perseverance of traditional craftsman since childhood. She was very grateful to become acquainted with Master Liu Ming in 2020 and realize her dream of incorporating traditional skills into innovative contemporary art. Master Liu at his age of 94, sill devotes his time to perpetuating and preserving his craftsmanship, selflessly passing on a craft he has honed for more than half a century to the next generation.
“When I am making artworks, I often think what a blessing it is to be able to learn a traditional craft in this era. I hope to spend my whole life learning about it.“ -Inkgo Lam
While bamboo steamers are still widely used in Chinese restaurants across Hong Kong, the craftsmanship of handmade steamers has slowly declined since the 1980s, leaving only a few craftsmen (only two in Hong Kong) who can still master the craft of making bamboo steamer by hand nowadays.
Contemporary artist Inkgo Lam has admired the perseverance of traditional craftsman since childhood. She was very grateful to become acquainted with Master Liu Ming in 2020 and realize her dream of incorporating traditional skills into innovative contemporary art. Master Liu at his age of 94, sill devotes his time to perpetuating and preserving his craftsmanship, selflessly passing on a craft he has honed for more than half a century to the next generation.
“When I am making artworks, I often think what a blessing it is to be able to learn a traditional craft in this era. I hope to spend my whole life learning about it.“ -Inkgo Lam
聚星樓蒸籠 Tsui Sing Lau Pagoda Bamboo Steamer
17x17x36cm
Bamboo, copper wire, rattan
2022
17x17x36cm
Bamboo, copper wire, rattan
2022
A BLESSING (福氣)
Lui Ming & Inkgo Lam
50 x 50 x 36cm
Bamboo (沙羅竹、楠竹、紫竹), rattan, copper wire, wood . 2022
Lui Ming & Inkgo Lam
50 x 50 x 36cm
Bamboo (沙羅竹、楠竹、紫竹), rattan, copper wire, wood . 2022
Special thanks to Crafts on Peel for sponsoring this craft exchange.
特別鳴謝飄雅活藝贊助此工藝項目
www.craftsonpeel.com/
"A Blessing" is a collaboration between traditional craftsman Master Lui Ming and contemporary artisan Inkgo Lam, showcasing the exquisite techniques of making bamboo steamers. Inspired by the spiritual icon and major tourist attraction of Hong Kong - the Big Buddha, "A Blessing" symbolizes peace and harmony between man and nature.
The work was designed by both Master Lui and Inkgo Lam, while Inkgo was responsible for sketching the design. Before the collaborative making process, Master Lui challenges Inkgo to climb up the Big Buddha and feel the spiritual presence to achieve perfection in making the piece. As an apprentice, Inkgo felt more blessed than stressed as Master Lui has high expectations of her, inspiring her to take each step of the making process seriously and meticulously. The road to mastering a craft is taken one step at a time, with no shortcut. This approach is a test of ability, sincerity and a path of self-discovery.
In addition to sharing the characteristics of different bamboo materials, Master Lui demonstrated various techniques for making bamboo steamers, including the use of bamboo clips, threading copper wire, bamboo rebounding, bamboo weaving, etc. The pair worked together to build the Buddha base from three different sizes of bamboo steamers, while Lam used a diverse range of bamboo to construct the stairs and railings. The Buddha's head, hands and feet were carved from bamboo roots using traditional root carving techniques. Then the Buddha was completed with the woven kasaya, made from thin strips delicately sliced out of Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as Black Bamboo.
特別鳴謝飄雅活藝贊助此工藝項目
www.craftsonpeel.com/
"A Blessing" is a collaboration between traditional craftsman Master Lui Ming and contemporary artisan Inkgo Lam, showcasing the exquisite techniques of making bamboo steamers. Inspired by the spiritual icon and major tourist attraction of Hong Kong - the Big Buddha, "A Blessing" symbolizes peace and harmony between man and nature.
The work was designed by both Master Lui and Inkgo Lam, while Inkgo was responsible for sketching the design. Before the collaborative making process, Master Lui challenges Inkgo to climb up the Big Buddha and feel the spiritual presence to achieve perfection in making the piece. As an apprentice, Inkgo felt more blessed than stressed as Master Lui has high expectations of her, inspiring her to take each step of the making process seriously and meticulously. The road to mastering a craft is taken one step at a time, with no shortcut. This approach is a test of ability, sincerity and a path of self-discovery.
In addition to sharing the characteristics of different bamboo materials, Master Lui demonstrated various techniques for making bamboo steamers, including the use of bamboo clips, threading copper wire, bamboo rebounding, bamboo weaving, etc. The pair worked together to build the Buddha base from three different sizes of bamboo steamers, while Lam used a diverse range of bamboo to construct the stairs and railings. The Buddha's head, hands and feet were carved from bamboo roots using traditional root carving techniques. Then the Buddha was completed with the woven kasaya, made from thin strips delicately sliced out of Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as Black Bamboo.
The Gastown steam clock in Vancouver
12x12x65cm
Bamboo, glass, lacquer, copper wire, rattan
2022
12x12x65cm
Bamboo, glass, lacquer, copper wire, rattan
2022
鐘樓蒸籠 Clock tower steamer
74x12x12cm
Bamboo, rattan, copper wire
2021
74x12x12cm
Bamboo, rattan, copper wire
2021
Big Ben steamer (created at London Craft Week 2023 & demonstration of steamer technique)
74x12x12cm
Bamboo, rattan, copper wire
2023
74x12x12cm
Bamboo, rattan, copper wire
2023
One cup and two pieces 一盅兩件
Bamboo, wood, rattan 沙羅單竹、紫竹、木、藤
70 x 70 x 50 cm, 70 x 35 x 40cm
2021
Bamboo, wood, rattan 沙羅單竹、紫竹、木、藤
70 x 70 x 50 cm, 70 x 35 x 40cm
2021