The word “hulu“ (gourd) is a homophone for “fulu“, a Chinese word symbolizing prosperity and fortune. The lush foliage, fruitful vines, and the many-seeded gourd imply “descendants thriving for generations, flourishing and auspicious.“ Gourd carving art is a traditional folk craft in China, integrating calligraphy, painting, and seal carving. Artisans need to conceive patterns based on the natural shape of the gourd, carefully designing every line and every shade of color. Gao Xiang and Guo Wenxuan, two inheritors of this intangible cultural heritage, have opened a gourd carving studio nearby, where a variety of gourd crafts are displayed, all crafted with their exquisite skills.

　　怀揣着对这门传统手工艺的热爱和执着，两位传承人们已走过20余年的葫芦雕刻之路，作品中既有简单几小时完成的小件，也有耗时数年的大作。在他们看来，热爱是从事葫芦雕刻的基础，而艺术和审美的积累则是创作出有味道、耐看作品的关键。他们认为，即使在技术日新月异的今天，机器也无法复制和替代手工工艺，因为手工雕刻的葫芦蕴含着创作者的情感和活力。在未来，他们希望葫芦雕刻能够有序传承、有序竞争、有序研习，让这门古老的艺术在现代社会中继续绽放光彩。