Carpenter relishes woodburning art

Carpenter Wu Mingzhang, 75, has a burning desire — literally — to create art with wood. Woodburning, or pyrography, is his passion.

Wu, a member of the Miao ethnic minority, lives in Danzhai county, Guizhou province. Over the years, he has created pyrography works with ethnic cultural elements and natural landscapes that have been well-received locally.

In 2019, under the government's poverty-alleviation relocation policy, Wu's moved with his family from Paidiao village to Jinquan street in Danzhai, where their living conditions were greatly improved.

Wu has made many new acquaintances who love pyrography, and has more platforms and opportunities to display his work and improve his skills.

With the help of friends, Wu also learned how to use smartphones to spread an appreciation of pyrography online through social media.