National Art Museum showing 400 puppets in new exhibition

Four puppets from the Journey to the West were donated by Xu Zhuchu to the National Art Museum of China, Jan 13. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xu's ancestor, Xu Ziqing, started running his puppet studio named "Cheng Cheng Shi" in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Xu is the sixth generation of descendants.

Puppets made by Xu bear the features of the facial masks of Beijing opera and Shaoxing opera, with a style his family has passed down through generations. His work is also inspired by Quanzhou puppets.

Xu keeps the oldest methods of puppet sculpturing. He designs movable chins or jaws for some of his works.

Xu has donated the 400 puppets to National Art Museum of China twice since 2014. The exhibition also designed a platform for visitors to try a puppet show. It will last until Feb 28.