In the heart of Tongren City, Guizhou Province, Yang Li is redefining traditional embroidery with her unique craft—leaf-vein embroidery. By seamlessly integrating elements from Miao, Tujia, and Dong ethnic embroidery, Yang Li has created a distinctive art form that honors cultural heritage while embracing modern creativity.
Every autumn, Yang Li embarks on a meticulous process, picking leaves from the pristine forests of the renowned Fanjing Mountain Scenic Area. These leaves undergo over 30 steps of rubbing, washing, and drying to extract the delicate vein patterns onto razor-thin sheets. This intricate technique transforms natural leaf structures into exquisite embroidery canvases.
Committed to preserving and spreading this art, Yang Li has organized workshops for local embroiderers, teaching them the delicate skills of leaf-vein embroidery. The resulting pieces feature vibrant patterns of flowers, birds, mountains, and classic figures, bringing leaves to life with renewed vigor and artistic expression. Additionally, Yang Li leverages social media by shooting instructional videos, reaching a broader audience and promoting their unique embroidery products to the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
