Boxwood carving, a traditional folk handicraft, utilizes boxwood as its primary material, primarily crafted in Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province. Renowned for its slow growth, boxwood is often associated with the adage, "It takes a thousand years to grow a boxwood." Its enduring appeal lies in its resilient yet smooth texture, fine grain resembling ivory, and elegant yellow hue that deepens over time. These qualities, combined with its simple yet beautiful appearance and moderate hardness, make boxwood an exceptional choice for crafting intricate small-scale sculptures.

Ni Chengzhong is a national-level woodcarving researcher, a master of arts and crafts in Zhejiang Province, a senior arts and crafts artist, and a member of the Chinese Folk Literature and Artists Association. In 2013, he became a disciple of Wang Duchun, a master of Chinese arts and crafts and a national-level inheritor of intangible cultural heritage. The founder of Jirui Hall was employed by Yueqing Vocational Secondary Technical School to teach boxwood carving.

Exhibit name: "Warmth" 
Exhibit size: 55cm×36cm×80cm

This boxwood carving depicts vanishing rural life, with three children huddled together in winter, exuding human warmth through their playful interactions. By blending relief and round carving techniques, the artist expands the expressive potential of boxwood carving.