Chinese student in New York reimagines Miao embroidery with digital art

Wang Wanqiu, a 28-year-old student at the School of Visual Arts in New York, is bridging traditional Chinese culture and modern technology by transforming Miao embroidery into digital collectibles, known as NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).

Wang launched the project based on her master's in Design for Social Innovation. "I noticed a scarcity of Chinese cultural symbols in New York's diverse landscape," she said, adding that she wanted to use this technology to bring traditional art into new ways of cultural transmission and digital preservation.

Wang was introduced to Miao embroidery by her classmate, Luo Xianru, a member of the Tujia ethnic group. Together, they decided to do something about the dwindling interest among youth and low incomes for artisans.