Root sculpture, which has been popular in China for centuries, is a joint work of man and nature. Artists are required to make as few adaptions as possible to their plant root art works so as to preserve their natural beauty and form, yet create striking works of art.

Traditionally, root sculptures are fashioned from the dark-coloured roots of the azalea from north China's Jilin Province; with the knotted roots of shrubs from southwest China's Guizhou Province; and, from the relatively soft roots of elm from east China's Zhejiang Province.

Those curious about the art form can get an overview of contemporary root sculptors' works this week at the Second International Root and Wood Sculpture Art Exposition in Jilin City of Jilin Province which started yesterday and runs through Sunday.

Hosted by the Jilin municipal government and China International Exhibition Agency, the exposition features 7,000 works by artists from 25 nations, including more than 6,000 root sculptures by Chinese artists.

Highlighted in the exposition are works made with distinctive wave-washed roots from Songhua Lake in the city. The man-made lake, which was developed in the 1930s with the construction of the first hydropower station in China, submerged azalea forests in the nearby mountains.

In recent years azalea roots have been found floating in the lake. Sculpted for decades by the waves, the roots have a fine texture and many pearl-shaped knots covering their surface.

The amazing works of nature, though limited in number, are pursued by root sculptors. One exotic wave-washed root was so highly sought-after that it recently sold for 1 million yuan (US$120,000) at the first exposition held last year, said Liu Ping, vice-mayor of Jilin.

A museum in the city is now under construction to host the root and wood sculptures, said Liu.

(China Daily September 3, 2003)