A Century-Old Craft: Chen Tsung-Wei Takes on the Mission of Preserving Deity Statue Artistry

In Taiwan’s vibrant folk religion tradition, the intricate process of creating deity statues serves as a powerful testament to deep cultural and spiritual roots. The craft of deity statue artistry, or "Zhuang Fo," involves a meticulous 16-step process, including three sacred rituals that underscore the inseparable bond between artistry and faith. At just 36 years old, Chen Tsung-Wei has emerged as Lugang’s youngest deity statue artisan and is currently an artist-in-residence at the National Center for Traditional Arts.

Chen’s journey into this sacred craft began in his childhood, shaped by his grandfather, who was a spirit medium. Immersed in temple culture from an early age, Chen developed a deep fascination for deity statues. By a stroke of luck, he was introduced to Master Shih Chih-hui, a renowned deity statue artisan, and became his apprentice. Despite having some experience in clay modeling, Chen was new to wood carving and faced numerous challenges that tested his resolve. At times, he even considered giving up. However, the encouragement and validation from his mentor reignited his passion and determination to continue in this field. 

Today, Chen is dedicated to preserving this centuries-old craft. He strives to deepen public appreciation for deity statue artistry and to pass on its legacy to future generations, ensuring that this timeless tradition endures.

以下為中文對照

台灣民間信仰，神像製作過程是傳統技藝。粧佛工藝的製作須經過16道工序，其中包含了三道宗教科儀，展現了與信仰密不可分的關係。年僅36歲的陳宗蔚現為鹿港最年輕的粧佛工藝師，目前也在國立傳統藝術中心駐點。

由於爺爺是乩童，陳宗蔚自小便熟悉廟宇文化，並對神像產生濃厚的興趣。因緣際會下他被引薦成為粧佛大師施至輝老師的學徒，只自學過泥塑的他，在對雕刻一無所知的情況下遇到了許多困難，曾經的他也想過放棄，是老師的肯定讓他重拾信心，更會在這個領域持續努力，讓更多人瞭解粧佛這項技藝。

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