With their exquisite colorful hues, ultra-soft textures, and fluffy adorable charm, traditional Chinese fabric dolls are becoming the latest obsession for young people eager to “rua” (a Chinese internet slang for cuddling or stroking adorable animals or objects). When the Polish girl Anne first touched these vibrant fabric creations, it was as if she had traveled through time and space, feeling the “needle-threading” connection of traditional Chinese culture. Brimming with curiosity and anticipation, Anne, together with the LICC host Scarlett, stepped into the world of He’s Traditional Fabric Art, a Shenyang Municipal Intangible Cultural Heritage project, and met Zhao Sitian, the fifth-generation representative inheritor of the art.
Stepping into Zhao’s studio, Anne was mesmerized by the fabric artworks adorning the walls. Colorful fabrics, meticulous stitching, and whimsically lifelike shapes seemed to whisper ancient tales. Fabric art—a traditional craft blending painting, paper-cutting, and embroidery—employs cotton, linen, silk, and satin to embody the essence of folk art with exaggerated, stylized techniques. Now integrated with modern aesthetics, this tradition is irresistibly capturing the hearts of young people.
Under Zhao’s guidance, Anne focused intently, imitating each step with care. As the needle and thread pierced through fabric, she became entranced by this craft. Anne soon realized that every stitch demands patience and meticulous craftsmanship, for even a slight misstep could distort the doll’s shape. A few hours later, the snake-shaped fabric doll she crafted was completed; though her technique was still a bit unproficient, her sense of achievement soared. Stroking the fabric snake in her hand, Anne seemed to feel the warmth and vitality emanating from it.
This journey into intangible cultural heritage left Anne deeply enchanted by the charm of traditional Chinese fabric art. “Liaoning’s intangible cultural heritage techniques are not only about preserving traditional skills, but also about the marvelous collision of tradition and modernity. They weave history with needle and thread, and connect the past with the future, displaying the unique allure of traditional Chinese culture to the world,” Anne remarked.
