Wu Wen-Chin Brings the Ten Thousand Faces of Traditional Paper Mache into Modern Life
Posted Date:2025-03-28
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Introduce
Tainan has a rich cultural heritage and many talented people. To provide a more in-depth look at the diverse facets of Tainan, Tourism Bureau developed the “League Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles in partnership with authors Chang Yun-su and Cheng Pei-wen to communicate the spirit and mindset of Tainan’s people through the life stories of master craftsmen. The articles offer the public a glimpse into the beauty of Tainan’s living culture, and provide a different kind of original itinerary in the form of corners and niches these people feel are worth exploring.
Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che said that the craft of paper mache was introduced in Taiwan quite early. It formed an important part of everyday life in Tainan as it was used during annual festivals, local ceremonies, as well as births, funerals and other important occasions. King boat ceremonies in particular are very widespread in Tainan. Religious statues, paper offerings, and king boats all made use of paper mache as well. Paper mache craftsman Wu Wen-chin not only preserved the traditional paper mache craft but also pursued a dual career to make paper mache art for everyday life.
According to Director-General Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau, Wu Wen-chin apprenticed under his uncle Jin Deng-fu, a Taoist priest, after graduating from middle school. He mastered everything including Taoist rituals and paper mache making after 11 years of study. In addition in inheriting Jin Deng-fu’s skill, Wu Wen-chin became proficient at making shrines and sacred mounts out of paper mache. His creations not only feature vivid colors that complement each other but are also very symmetrical and well laid out. Like real houses, his paper mache houses have halls, rooms, courtyards and galleries that flow seamlessly into each other in an orderly manner. The roof ridge, eaves, and gables also incorporate cut and origami flowers so a variety of techniques were used in each paper house. He became famed for their exquisite details and crafted more than a hundred examples in one year at one point. In addition to paper houses, Wu is also adept at making sacred mounts for paper mache altars. A frame is created by tying bamboo strips together with steel wire before applying layers of paper mache. Once the final form has been achieved it is then painted. The complex procedure produces very durable results that have the stately presence of their own. Wu Wen-chin’s sacred mounts feature light, elegant colors and realistic poses. Balanced proportions are emphasized so that the character and their mount becomes one. The lifelike creations embody the best features of the craft.
Wu Wen-chin is also a registered Taoist priest and expert in Taoist rituals. He often hosts Taoist religious ceremonies, including the annual Ping-an Salt Ceremony at Nankunshen Daitian Temple. He is also responsible for crafting the paper mache Spring Buffalo and acting as the master of ceremonies for the Welcoming the Spring ceremony for Tainan’s East Gate. In fusing his Taoist expertise with paper mache, Wu emphasized the complementary nature of art and Tao. As a result, his creations and his character all possess great depth of character.
Most paper mache creations are ultimately burned to ashes. Traditional paper mache was also gradually falling out of favor over time. Wu recognized this and began seeking a new path that turned paper mache into original artworks. Using traditional techniques, he shrunk the Spring Cow, divine mounts, Master Carp and Sword Lion down into small ornamental artworks. Paper-cutting also converted motifs from paper houses into beautiful displays. Even the General Tiger was given a creative makeover and turned into articulated paper dolls through paper cutting and painting. Traditional paper mache became artistic toys suitable for the young and old alike.
As the custodian of paper mache, an intangible cultural asset, Wu Wen-chin opened a new path for traditional crafts through extension education in 2019. He partnered with the Tainan City Government, community university, and Zhengbei Academy to hold paper machine classes in the hopes that the spirit of traditional paper mache can fuse with modern lifestyles and passed onto future generations.
According to the Tourism Bureau, the “League of Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles will be syndicated since March onwards. The reports will feature the life stories of Tainan master craftsmen and also invite the public to experience the unique style of Tainan. The Tourism Bureau added that the “2025 Glow Worms, Flowers, and Hot Springs Festival” will be held with much fanfare form March 29 through to April 20. The general public is invited to visit the Nanxi District where glow warm watching at Meiling, Guidan hot springs, and the colorful flower season will treat them to a spring vacation that combines nature and culture. For more information on the latest tourist attractions and events in Tainan, please continue to follow the “Travel Tainan” website and the “Travel Tainan Facebook Fan Page.”
Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che said that the craft of paper mache was introduced in Taiwan quite early. It formed an important part of everyday life in Tainan as it was used during annual festivals, local ceremonies, as well as births, funerals and other important occasions. King boat ceremonies in particular are very widespread in Tainan. Religious statues, paper offerings, and king boats all made use of paper mache as well. Paper mache craftsman Wu Wen-chin not only preserved the traditional paper mache craft but also pursued a dual career to make paper mache art for everyday life.
According to Director-General Lin Kuo-hua of the Tourism Bureau, Wu Wen-chin apprenticed under his uncle Jin Deng-fu, a Taoist priest, after graduating from middle school. He mastered everything including Taoist rituals and paper mache making after 11 years of study. In addition in inheriting Jin Deng-fu’s skill, Wu Wen-chin became proficient at making shrines and sacred mounts out of paper mache. His creations not only feature vivid colors that complement each other but are also very symmetrical and well laid out. Like real houses, his paper mache houses have halls, rooms, courtyards and galleries that flow seamlessly into each other in an orderly manner. The roof ridge, eaves, and gables also incorporate cut and origami flowers so a variety of techniques were used in each paper house. He became famed for their exquisite details and crafted more than a hundred examples in one year at one point. In addition to paper houses, Wu is also adept at making sacred mounts for paper mache altars. A frame is created by tying bamboo strips together with steel wire before applying layers of paper mache. Once the final form has been achieved it is then painted. The complex procedure produces very durable results that have the stately presence of their own. Wu Wen-chin’s sacred mounts feature light, elegant colors and realistic poses. Balanced proportions are emphasized so that the character and their mount becomes one. The lifelike creations embody the best features of the craft.
Wu Wen-chin is also a registered Taoist priest and expert in Taoist rituals. He often hosts Taoist religious ceremonies, including the annual Ping-an Salt Ceremony at Nankunshen Daitian Temple. He is also responsible for crafting the paper mache Spring Buffalo and acting as the master of ceremonies for the Welcoming the Spring ceremony for Tainan’s East Gate. In fusing his Taoist expertise with paper mache, Wu emphasized the complementary nature of art and Tao. As a result, his creations and his character all possess great depth of character.
Most paper mache creations are ultimately burned to ashes. Traditional paper mache was also gradually falling out of favor over time. Wu recognized this and began seeking a new path that turned paper mache into original artworks. Using traditional techniques, he shrunk the Spring Cow, divine mounts, Master Carp and Sword Lion down into small ornamental artworks. Paper-cutting also converted motifs from paper houses into beautiful displays. Even the General Tiger was given a creative makeover and turned into articulated paper dolls through paper cutting and painting. Traditional paper mache became artistic toys suitable for the young and old alike.
As the custodian of paper mache, an intangible cultural asset, Wu Wen-chin opened a new path for traditional crafts through extension education in 2019. He partnered with the Tainan City Government, community university, and Zhengbei Academy to hold paper machine classes in the hopes that the spirit of traditional paper mache can fuse with modern lifestyles and passed onto future generations.
According to the Tourism Bureau, the “League of Extraordinary Tainan People” series of articles will be syndicated since March onwards. The reports will feature the life stories of Tainan master craftsmen and also invite the public to experience the unique style of Tainan. The Tourism Bureau added that the “2025 Glow Worms, Flowers, and Hot Springs Festival” will be held with much fanfare form March 29 through to April 20. The general public is invited to visit the Nanxi District where glow warm watching at Meiling, Guidan hot springs, and the colorful flower season will treat them to a spring vacation that combines nature and culture. For more information on the latest tourist attractions and events in Tainan, please continue to follow the “Travel Tainan” website and the “Travel Tainan Facebook Fan Page.”
