Sacred stories meet modern art

For centuries, people living along Fujian province's eastern coastline have created a rich tapestry of folk beliefs and customs. In addition to worshiping figures from Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, communities also venerate deities — some imagined, others associated with historical figures such as Mazu, the widely revered sea goddess, and Baosheng Dadi, honored for his healing powers.

Paying respect to these deities has become integrated into daily life. It is particularly evident in Quanzhou, a city in the southern part of Fujian, usually referred to as the Minnan area. Historically known to international traders as Zayton, it was a leading port along the Maritime Silk Road, reaching the height of its significance during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

Its prosperity in ancient times and cultural radiance lend Quanzhou both earthy vibrancy and spiritual tranquility. Now, Wen Na, an artist from Beijing, has added more shine with modern sensibilities to the city's folk art tradition by creating new celestial figures that are painted with radiant colors and unbridled imagination.

Over four years, she transformed a vintage residential estate in Quanzhou — a traditional dacuo, or large courtyard house unique to the Minnan region — into an immersive space for celestial storytelling. The 400-square-meter project features a long mural and dozens of wood sculptures created in collaboration with veteran local engraver Chen Zenghuang.

She has named the place Canghaicuo (The Hidden Sea Harbor), weaving together deities and folktales she has learned about in Quanzhou into a reinvented narrative.

The story is inspired by Fujian's maritime and migration histories. It retells the journeys of people who left home by sea in search of better lives, carrying with them blessings sought from deities — blessings that, alongside homesickness, became a belief that sustained their journeys.

"There is a sea deep in the hearts of these people," Wen Na says. "Canghaicuo tells a different epic about Minnan, a romantic representation of its people's worldview that illuminates the private sea within them."

The deities of Canghaicuo assume different roles and responsibilities. For example, Zhaohai, a deity created by Wen Na and inspired by folktales, is the project's central figure and stands about 3 meters tall, including its pedestal. Depicted as a sea guardian surrounded by waves, the figure holds two circular mirrors in its hands — one reflecting the sea to ensure calm waters, the other reflecting people so they remain composed at sea — symbolizing safe journeys guided by clarity of mind.

Drawing deities was not originally part of Wen Na's artistic practice. A graduate of the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University in Beijing, she began exploring the theme around 2008 when a friend commissioned her to create a military god painting to decorate his stand at a creativity fair. "I wasn't very satisfied with the work, but it seemed to awaken something that had been overlooked," she recalls.

She went on to create more such drawings, primarily for fun. Her inspiration comes from classical literature, folklore, opera characters, Buddhist and Taoist statues, and the handicrafts she encountered at temple fairs during childhood.