CAFA teacher Xu Xiangdong has been teaching woodcarving for 16 years. [Photo by Nigel Moffiet/chinadaily.com.cn]

CAFA woodcarving teacher Xu Xiangdong says it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what is driving the creative scene but explains, "Beijing is a city that is fresh and alive."

"It's an inclusive city with many cultures and elements," he says. Xu, who has been teaching the craft for 16 years, believes every artist follows their own path and he encourages his students to develop their own creative process - all he can do, he says, is teach the technique.

One of his students is 21-year-old Li Danyao.

Li decided to study woodcarving after becoming "curious about the subject".

"It was a way to change my learning of art. I hadn't touched on this area before so I wanted to study it to refresh my perspective. Before I would just draw with a pen but with a knife it's totally different."

She says she is more interested in following her passions rather than worrying about where her work might lead to in the future.

Other students agree.

Wang says worrying about making a living off her art doesn't concern her at the moment as her parents are very supportive.

Li Danyao decided to study woodcarving as a way to explore new possibilities and refresh her perspective on art. [Photo by Nigel Moffiet/chinadaily.com.cn]

Related:

Yishu 8 Award encourages budding Chinese artists 

Sculpting internal thoughts