The eighth China Root Carving Exhibition opened Wednesday in Beijing, with a theme of "discover the beauty of nature, create the beauty of art."

More than 300 root carvers presented more than 500 pieces produced over the past two years. The exhibition set up for the first time a section dedicated to works of Chinese masters in root carving art.

Ma Siji, director of the Chinese Society of Root Carving, said China has a long history of root carving, especially in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, when craftsmen carved tree or bamboo roots, in their original structure, texture and color, into beautifully shaped figures and animals, or furniture and decorative items.

"Root cutting has made a lot of progress over the past 20 years no matter in terms of people taking up it or related theoretic research. It has become the most popular craft form with the Chinese public," Ma said.

According to Ma, the second seminar on root carving theories will be held during the exhibition, which runs until Oct. 26.

(Xinhua News Agency October 22, 2003)