A selection of Shoushan stone artworks created by Ye Zi, a Shoushan stone sculptor in East China's Fujian province. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Completely awed by the artistic beauty of the work, viewers pay little attention to the value of the stone itself. A critic said when he was appreciating the art piece, he felt that "a shaft of moonlight seemed to filter through the artwork." A musician from Shanghai was even moved to tears when viewing it.

Currently, due to the increasingly reduced availability of prime Shoushan stones, many sculptors are turning to Laos stone, an alternative to Shoushan stone. Meanwhile, other carvers are trying to improve the value of common Shoushan stones by innovating sculpting techniques and design, according to several businesses in the Trade Center of Chinese Shoushan Stone.

"The focus of Shoushan stone carving is being gradually shifted away from the material to art. In recent years, instead of merely focusing on the choice of stone, Shoushan stone carving has become more concerned about styles and aesthetics. As a stone is only a carrier, it's more important for a sculptor to discover something new," said Ye.

Ye Shaobo, director of Fujian Arts Industry Association, also said local sculptors are paying more attention to the personality in their artworks while holding fast to the tradition of Shoushan stone carving. This artistic awakening will not only increase the added value of Shoushan stone carvings but also boost the influence of the whole industry.

Yang Xiaoyu contributed to this story.