Some see art as decoration. 何明賢 (Jacken Ho, Teacher Ho) sees it as expression.
In a quiet corner of Taiwan, 杉林 (ShanLin), he has been reimagining how art, agriculture, and education can work together to sustain both culture and livelihoods. The path began with 緣分 (fate). In the late 1990s, 龔一舫 (Yi-Fang Gong, Teacher Gong) introduced gourd carving at 新庄國小 (Xinzhuang Elementary School) through a government program to preserve traditional culture. The effort planted seeds but faded after the program ended.
In 2004, Teacher Ho founded 愛鄉協會(Shanlin Community Association) to promote local identity, partnered with 旗美社區大學(Qimei Community College), and invited Teacher Gong back to teach. That’s when he began learning gourd carving himself — not just to continue a tradition, but to carry it forward and give it new life. He established his first workshop the same year, later evolving into 杉林葫蘆工藝行 (Shanlin Gourd Craft, 2008) and 杉林葫蘆藝術文化創意有限公司 (Shanlin Gourd Art & Culture Creative Co., Ltd. , 2015).
His journey is not about chasing trends or replicating high-tech models — it’s about starting from the basics, building skills and mindset, and creating an ecosystem where creativity supports the local economy and identity.
Impact So Far
- Education: Through his gourd art, he teaches more than techniques — he integrates philosophy, practicality, and creativity into daily life. He combines east and west, old and new, efficiency and calmness to redefine value.
- Community: By promoting art and offering skill training, he’s enabling others to generate income, express themselves, and take pride in the village’s unique identity.
- Example in Action: He shows up every day, leading by example — not just talking about the greater good, but creating it. He helps you learn, think, and question the status quo.
What Makes Him Special
- From Basics to Mastery
Teacher Ho thinks differently — starting with core skills: carving, drawing, and design, then going deeper into the art form. He emphasizes a strong foundation to enable a path to mastery. - Strategic Realism and Resilience
He understands that sustainability requires more than passion — it needs strategy and community. By commercializing art, he ensures that artists can sustain themselves, allowing deeper and more diverse expressions. His vision builds a village economy with a cultural identity and industrial chain, resisting the temptation of quick wins or giving up. - Blending Old and New
Drawing from diverse learning experiences, he combines traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. What he treasures most from the process is沉澱 — the inner reflection that clarifies who you are, what you want, and how to build your future with intention.
What’s Challenging — and What’s Next
His vision is bold: a local economic ecosystem of 100 hectares of land growing gourds by 2000 villagers and a rigorous artistic evaluation and certification system. Gourd can be used for art, food, and mindfulness practice; establishing 杉林 as Taiwan’s ‘Gourd Village’ with estimated market potential of NT 5 billion. Beyond economic growth, the gourd village is a statement — that culture, when nurtured, can be a cornerstone of modern Taiwan’s identity.
The realization takes creativity, collaboration, and commitment; rooted in tradition, accelerated with modern techniques, and global recognition. But it also reflects deeper questions: Why do outsiders often value our culture more than we do ourselves? Why wait for external approval to see the beauty and strength of our own people’s work?
The reality is that we often chase “shiny objects” — high-tech projects and quick-profit copycats — while cultural and slow industries receive little long-term investment. Efforts to revive the countryside or agriculture are too often surface-level or short-lived.
To move forward, teacher Ho believes we must rethink how innovation and tradition interact — not discarding the past, but building upon it. Also, have a long-term and bigger view beyond ourselves, celebrate and learn from the setbacks, and continue moving toward the vision.
How You Can Support
- Value the Slow and Deep: Learn more about 杉林葫蘆藝術 (ShanLin Gourd Art), 旗山武德殿藝文中心 (Qishan Wude Hall Arts and Culture Center) and meet local artists and cultural practitioners in your communities — getting to know them, supporting their work, and engaging in the experiences.
- Champion Local Identity and Ecosystem: Build and celebrate your community’s uniqueness. Share skills and resources; help promote good people and practice; shift the narrative from external validation to self-recognition and build a long-term thriving local economy.
- Promote Taiwan Artisans: If you’re a curator, investor, or connected with global museums or exhibitions, Teacher He would love to hear from you.
Teacher Ho dreams of abundance and good fortune* for his village 杉林 (ShanLin).
What would you want your hometown, home country to be?
*葫蘆gourd is pronounced “hulu”, resembles 福祿 “fulu” which means “good fortune and prosperity”
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