Miao Jiaoxiu Embroidery

The Miao, an ethnic minority group living in deep mountains of the most remote areas in Southwest China, who have no written language, have been using their textile patterns to record cultural information and history for over two thousand years. With more than 100 clans, each Miao clan has their own costume code so that they can be identified easily. Such cultural code is handed down from generation to generation among Miao women, who make works of art inspired by traditional Miao songs and legends. In this class, Selina will walk you through the brilliant textile heritage of the Miao. She will present images of historical Miao costumes and baby carriers and talk about Miao traditional patterns and material culture. She will also discuss the changes that Miao embroidery has undergone and Miao artists’ contemporary practice. You’ll have the opportunity to learn Jiaoxiu, an ancient Miao embroidery technique which means embroidery with decorative wrapped thread. Traditionally Miao women w