Deity altar carpenters advance age-old traditions by combining cultural and creative industries

Daxi is famous for making altar tables and was once in the top three most prominent areas of altar table production in Taiwan. However, through the years, the wood industry in Daxi has gradually declined. The process of making an altar table is a difficult job, including selecting wood, shaping, polishing, and burnishing, which requires not only fine craftsmanship but also skill in operating machinery. In the face of decreasing demand in the woodworking market, Huang Yu-huang, a second-generation carpenter's successor, has embraced customization and added a modern aesthetic touch that combines tradition with the latest trends.

Huang Yu-Huang is keeping this age-old tradition alive while at the same time trying to innovate. She has designed wooden roses made from wood shavings soaked in water and folded into flowers, integrating craftsmanship with creativity. Huang hopes that her work will help deepen the public's understanding of Daxi wood art and pass on the artisan spirit.

以下為中文對照

神桌木匠 結合文創延續傳統

  桃園大溪以製作神桌聞名，曾為台灣三大神桌製造地之一，然而隨著時代更迭，大溪木業逐漸沒落。神桌製作需經過選材塑形、拋光到細磨等程序，過程繁瑣，不僅要有精巧的手藝，還須熟練機器操作。面對木器市場需求減少，木匠二代繼承人黃裕凰接受客製化並加入現代的美感設計，將傳統與流行結合。

黃裕凰不僅延續傳統，也不斷嘗試創新，設計出木製玫瑰花，透過刨木、浸水將木材摺成花朵，以創意融合手工藝，希望讓更多人對大溪木藝有更深入的了解，將匠人精神傳承下去。

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