Founded by blacksmiths, and historicized within Chinese tradition Reand history, iron wrought art began in the town of Wuhu. It is believed that the art was first founded by Tang Tien Chih (also known as Tang Peng), a forger of iron that idolized the talent and ability of his literati neighbors, Tang decided to try his hand at landscape painting and soon became a talent to behold. After his neighbors began to treat him with disdain, Tang eventually changed his medium from brush and ink to hammer and iron, and began the art of iron wrought painting. Though the art form was widely criticized by the literati, the art was still carried on, and eventually became a respected and beloved art form within China’s greater art history. Read more.

Within our research and this archive, we wish to get a better sense of the origins as well as cultural and historical meaning and significance of Wuhu iron wrought art within Chinese history, and will hopefully discover the role that resistance and women as well as gender relations played within the creation and continuation of the art form.