Sichuan Shadow Play

Shadow puppetry is an ancient Chinese folk art that integrates painting, sculpture, rap, and opera. It has been listed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

In Langzhong, Sichuan, generations of shadow puppet artists have passed on the traditional art treasures to this day. Langzhong shadow puppetry is popular in northern Sichuan, including Nanchong and Guang'an, with Langzhong as the center. The shadow puppets are mostly carved from cowhide or paper, and the facial makeup and costumes are mostly imitated from Sichuan opera. The singing style is similar to traditional Sichuan opera. The repertoires performed are mostly historical, mythological, and legendary stories. Among them, the most representative one is the "Wang Shadow Puppetry" in northern Sichuan.

During the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, Wang Yuansheng of the Wang family founded the "Wang Shadow Puppetry" in northern Sichuan, drawing on the essence of "carving", "cutting", "painting", and "carving", integrating the interest of northern Sichuan customs and folk customs, and has been passed down for more than 350 years. Wang Biao, born in 1965, is the seventh-generation inheritor of the "Wang Shadow Puppetry" in northern Sichuan and a national representative inheritor of Sichuan shadow puppetry. With his adherence to and innovation in traditional art, he has become an important guardian and promoter of local shadow puppetry culture.