Tongliang Dragon Lanterns are a traditional paper art that received national recognition in 2021 as an example of intangible cultural heritage.

“No one will be interested in buying our handmade lanterns now. And I see no young kids want to learn this practice. The process of making dragon lanterns is just so lonely,” said Heping Zhou, the owner of the last artisan shop dedicated to making dragon lanterns in Tongliang. Through my short apprenticeship experience under his guidance, I frequently heard him verbalizing how stressed and worried he had been regarding the vanishing practice. 

Through the two photo prints interwoven with bamboo, I wish to call attention to preserving traditions that are now in danger of disappearing under the hits of modernization, globalization, and rising consumer culture.