Art can be found the most unlikely places -- and materials. An artist in Shanghai is making exquisite carvings out of bamboo roots. And what makes his works even more exceptional, is that the material is considered very poor for carving.
Lin Hairen is famous for his bamboo root carvings.
This work is called "Ancestor". Lin transformed what was regarded as waste material into an award-winning piece.
"It was a lifeless piece of wood, but after a while, a fresh shoot grew out of it, and I got the inspiration to carve the bamboo into the mythical figure who is the ancestor of all mankind and the wood around it can be his house. So there he is, deep in contemplation and at ease," Lin said.
Lin spent 3 years on this carving and gained widespread recognition. He won multiple national prizes with the Ancestor. Lin has been passionate about his craft since childhood and is showing no signs of slowing down.
"He often has a eureka moment during meals and will dash into his studio and work late into the night," Lin's niece said.
Lin has even started his own company dedicated to bamboo root carving. He is also partnering with vocational schools to establish a training base to pass on his skills. The master hopes bamboo carving can not only become popular in China, but also known to the world.