Carrying the torch of craft
Miao artisans use their heritage training to inject vitality into local economies and cultural preservation efforts, Yang Feiyue reports.
After finishing her undergraduate studies in traditional crafts such as embroidery, batik, and ceramics at the School of Fine Arts, Guizhou Minzu University, in 2019, Wan found it was the metallic sheen and intricate craftsmanship of silver jewelry that truly tugged at her heartstrings.
The following year, she moved to Leishan county, where she apprenticed under Yang Guangbin, a national-level representative inheritor of Miao silver jewelry forging.
In the male-dominated world of silver forging, Wan's determination and persistence led Yang to break tradition and accept her as his first female disciple.
Under his guidance, she mastered the essential techniques of Guizhou silver jewelry, including engraving, wire drawing, and forging — laying a solid foundation in traditional craftsmanship.
Determined to deepen her knowledge and upgrade her artistic expression, Wan went on to refine her art theory foundation and expand her artistic vision through a master's degree at Guizhou Minzu University later in 2020, while still visiting Yang on a regular basis to maintain her skills.
In the interim, she signed up for the national training program, which became a pivotal moment in her artistic career.
"It opened my mind as to how modern techniques and traditional silver forging can be combined," she says, adding that she has since aspired to create a new generation of jewelry that remains rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Miao people while embracing contemporary aesthetics.
