This hand-hewn wooden wheel originates from the remote mountain regions of Southwest China, once serving as part of a traditional handcart used to transport goods across rugged terrain. Crafted using vernacular methods, it reflects rural ingenuity shaped by necessity and environment. Now removed from use, it has been preserved as a sculptural artifact and mounted on a custom stand, transforming utilitarian heritage into an object of historical and aesthetic contemplation.
“Yunnan is a province in southwest China that is fairly undeveloped and isolated and is home to a large number of ethic minorities including the Akha and Naxi, two groups stumbled across as I was out exploring over 3 decades ago. The Chinese government came into this region to help modernize their simple wood wheel barrows use to haul loads over the mountain pathways by bringing in solid rubber steel wheels life just got alot better for this group. Where this work was being done in the village I saw a large pile of discarded wooden wheels of all sizes and conditions. All these wood wheels were shipped to Shanghai where an antique dealer we did business with would mount these wheels on metal “stand offs” which would then be mounted to a wood base.” – Clayton Korver
China
Yunnan Province
