In the “Yi Cao Xuan” in Chenwu Township, Luoning County, Luoyang, Zhang Weifeng uses grass as material to weave lifelike animals such as eagles, grasshoppers and lions. As the third-generation inheritor of the Zhang family’s grass weaving technique, he has developed this intangible cultural heritage from the weaving of practical farm tools into a vibrant form of artistic creation.
The seeds of straw weaving were sown in his childhood. Once, when he was crying on the ridge of a field, his father wove a straw ring to comfort him, which became his first emotional connection with straw weaving. Since then, he started by weaving insects and gradually delved deeper into this craft.
After following his father’s method of weaving fresh leaves for many years, Zhang Weifeng accidentally discovered that weaving with softened dry palm leaves could preserve the works for a longer time. This breakthrough has endowed the art of straw weaving with a more enduring life.
Creation is never a smooth journey. He was repeatedly frustrated by his inability to accurately depict animal forms until he finally crafted a “mouse” that was immediately recognizable, which restored his confidence. Today, his works range from tiny insects to large raptors with a wingspan of nearly one meter, from traditional motifs to new subjects like nine-tailed foxes and dinosaurs, and his materials have expanded to include various natural materials such as bamboo shoot leaves and corn husks.
“What others see as trash, I see as treasures.” He often goes to the wild to collect materials and makes his works more layered through the combination of texture and color.
Since he turned 30, Zhang Weifeng has been systematically teaching apprentices. So far, he has guided 35 disciples from all over the country. In the future, he hopes to tell fables like “The Fox and the Tiger” through straw weaving and try to incorporate elements of animation to keep this ancient art form fresh and vibrant.（Reporter Zhou Xinran）
