Thien Hwan is 23 years old this year, he lives in Lichuan City, a mountain town in central China’s Hupei Province. After graduating from university, Thien Hwan left the big city to become a blacksmith in the mountainous region. There is an old saying in China, “There are three kinds of suffering in the world: rowing a boat, making iron, and grinding tofu.” The life of a blacksmith is very hard, but Thien Hwan has a different feeling and idea towards this occupation. Graduated from Environmental Art Design at Thien Hwan University in 2014. After this he came to the capital Beijing. Once by chance, he entered a small shop where small articles made of iron and copper are sold. Thien Hwan liked these items very much and got the idea to make them himself.
Then, he quit his job in Beijing and returned to his hometown of Lichwan. In half a year’s time, he kept roaming here and there in search of skilled blacksmiths. Eventually Thien Hwan met some old blacksmiths and started collaborating with them. In 2016, Thien Hwan set up his own ironworks workshop, named “Iron Baby Commune”, Thien Hwan and other skilled old blacksmiths work very hard in this workshop. Together they create handmade wrought iron items combining modern design and traditional craftsmanship. He decided on iron ware as the main product of his workshop.
In 2017, Thien Hwan began participating in cultural and creative expos extensively across the country, opened an online store to promote their products. Gradually the sale of workshop products is increasing. Currently, the “Iron Baby Commune” of Thien Hwan sells two to three thousand different types of utensils every month. Products are sold not only in major cities, but also exported abroad. Thien Hwan, who returned from the city to the village, connected old blacksmiths with customers through the Internet, and with their help, people are also recognizing the art of old blacksmiths’ craftsmanship.
(Credits- China Media Group, Beijing)
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