A wooden leaf created by Zhang Xu weighs only 2.45 grams. [Photo/ntfabu.com] 

Zhang Xu, a native of Jinzhou, Northeast China's Liaoning province, has been dedicated to creating refined Nantong-style wood-carving pieces for the past eight years. One of his works is a wooden leaf that weighs only 2.45 grams with no more than 0.1 millimeters in thickness.

Zhang developed his interest in Nantong-style redwood carving when he was engaged in the home decoration industry in Nantong. He then decided to be committed to the research and creation of redwood carvings in 2013.

Due to his talent and hardworking nature, it took Zhang only five years to showcase his works at a professional platform of the China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair in 2018. 

However, he was not satisfied with just doing what traditional craftsmen have done for centuries. 

"We have a much better creation environment and conditions than our predecessors, thus we need higher standards for our works," said Zhang.

A wooden leaf created by Zhang Xu weighs less than 5 grams. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

After a long period of study, Zhang found a way to fully use natural veins and properties of different types of woods to create soft and graceful works out of stiff wood. 

"It is forbidden to use chemical methods to change the molecular structure of the wood," said Zhang, who has forged a distinct style by combining a variety of traditional wood carving skills.

Most of Zhang's works are tree leaves. None of them weighs more than 5 grams, with the smallest weighing less than 1 gram. 

His innovations of the ancient art form are expected to help promote Nantong-style woodcarving techniques to the entire country and around the world.

A gingko leaf carved out of redwood by Zhang Xu. [Photo/ntfabu.com]