The Chinese artist Jiaxi Han is working on the research project Identifying the effect of the modern world on traditional Miao batik techniques.
Her hometown Guizhou, China, is one of the key regions where Miao ethnic minority batik techniques (苗族蜡染) have been passed down for generations. The intricate batik patterns, created using a wax knife (蜡刀), often draw inspiration from the history of the Miao people, nature, daily life, and cultural symbols. In recent years, traditional crafts have gained attention as intangible cultural heritage. Many Miao women, often with limited access to education and modern job opportunities, are revitalizing batik practices, balancing economic independence with cultural preservation.
However, the pressure of modernization and commercialization has influenced both traditional patterns and techniques. While some innovations have emerged, traditional motifs face challenges in being passed on to younger generations. Through this project, Jiaxi aims to document the current state of Miao batik, record the lives and works of artisans, and explore how traditional and modern influences coexist. The final outcome will include video documentation, writing, and batik works—both her own and pieces created by the artisans. The project also seeks to highlight the significance of contemporary batik creations, encouraging appreciation for the ongoing work of Miao women, alongside traditional designs now celebrated in museums or markets for collectors.
Jiaxi Han(1993), of Buyi ethnicity, was born and grew up in southwest China. She received her Bachelor and Master degree in Visual arts at the Academy of Visual Arts in Hong Kong Baptist University and exchanged at Academy of Fine Arts of Bologna in Italy. She also received a Master of Transdisciplinary Studies at Zurich University of the Arts in 2024.
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