Straw artwork portrays ancient painting scenes

Zhong Shuying shows her straw plaited "Along the River during the Qingming Festival", in Changchun, Jilin province, Dec 9, 2015. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Made of cattail leaves, maize leaves and bamboo sticks, the 1.5-meter long, 1-meter wide artwork recreates partial scenes from the famous scroll painting "Qingming Shanghe Tu" (Along the River during the Qingming Festival)from the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

The artwork depicts life-like figures, with some carrying a load, some riding, and some taking a carriage on the bustling street.

Zhong is a teacher from Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province. She spent most of her spare time making the straw work and it took her two years to finish.