A pit carving by Rugao artist Chen Liang. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]

In Rugao, micro-carving artist Chen Liang transforms small fruit pits into invaluable art pieces, demonstrating his creativity and masterful craftsmanship. Through his expert work, Chen not only creates beauty but also revitalizes a centuries-old tradition.

Chen started studying nut carving at age 20 under a master in Suzhou and has since gained fame for his relief carving expertise.

"The Arhat bracelet I carve is just one or two millimeters thick from the side, but the front vividly displays facial expressions, muscles," he said. "Clothing like a set like this can fetch roughly 40,000 yuan ($5,615)."

Nut carving reliefs are classified based on their depth: high relief, relief, shallow relief, and ultra-shallow relief. Among these, ultra-shallow relief, which is the most difficult to achieve, is Chen's area of expertise.

"One wrong stroke and all the work is ruined," Chen explained, emphasizing that the art demands precise control of finger strength, steady breathing, and deep concentration.

In recent years, he has gone beyond traditional olive pits to explore new materials and creative ideas. Today, his yearly income exceeds one million yuan, demonstrating his skill and innovation in maintaining this traditional art form.