Breathing new life into brushwork

In 2011, Miao painting from Xiangxi was named a national intangible cultural heritage, and seven years later, Liang was named a national inheritor.

Under her father's influence, Liang's daughter, Liang Jincui, took up the family trade after graduating from college in 2015. Now in her 30s, she has dedicated herself to revitalizing the art of Miao painting through creative and modern interpretations. 

"I focus on designing cultural products with Miao painting elements, such as pendants and other accessories," she says.

To make the art form relevant to today's market, she has embraced innovation, collaborating with tea brands to create specially designed packaging. Her goal is to use contemporary technology and methods that resonate with the young to present the art in a fresh and accessible way.

In addition, Liang Jincui has offered Miao painting training to those interested in learning the craft.

She says her decision to pursue this path stems from a deep sense of mission, shaped by the dedication and effort her father has poured into reviving the once faltering art.

"Miao painting originally served the lives and traditions of the Miao," she explains. "What we're doing now is bringing it back into our lives and reintroducing it to the public eye."