082 Edelweiss

Jiaxi Han
Edelweiss (2024)
Beeswax on handwoven cotton, indigo dyed
18 x 19 inches

Edelweiss is an iconic symbol in Swiss culture and fashion, often seen in traditional clothing and printed scarves. Living between Hong Kong and Zurich, Han has developed a deep interest in Swiss textile traditions and reinterpreted the edelweiss motif through the lens of her heritage.

She first created a paper-cut design of the flower, then transferred it onto fabric using the traditional Miao batik technique from her hometown in Guizhou, Southwest China. In Miao batik, beeswax is applied to form patterns that resist natural indigo dye. Unlike the usual process where the wax is removed in the end, Han chose to leave it on the fabric, adding texture and depth.

The Miao people, an ethnic minority from Southwest China, have a rich textile tradition that includes batik, embroidery, paper-cutting, and silverwork. Their batik patterns not only serve as decoration but also carry cultural significance, recording history, clan heritage, and totemic beliefs.

By merging Swiss and Miao artistic traditions, the artist creates a dialogue between cultures, reflecting her experiences across both regions.

Artist Statement 

Jiaxi Han is a visual artist who creates contemporary artworks by exploring the traditional heritage and languages of Chinese and European cultures. She is currently based in Hong Kong and Zurich.

Born in 1993 in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou Province in southwest China, Han belongs to the Buyi ethnic group. The rich ethnic diversity of her hometown sparked her early interest in art, particularly the traditions and crafts of the Buyi and Miao communities.

In 2017, Han earned her bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from Hong Kong Baptist University. During her studies, she was influenced by Hong Kong's blend of Eastern and Western cultures, which broadened her artistic perspective. She then pursued a double degree program between Hong Kong Baptist University and Zurich University of the Arts, obtaining two master's degrees in Visual Arts and Transdisciplinary Arts in June 2021.

Since 2018, Han has been working and traveling between Zurich, Hong Kong, and her hometown in Guizhou, integrating her diverse cultural experiences into her art. Her artistic journey emphasizes cross-cultural dialogue, ethnographic research, and the fusion of traditional and contemporary expressions.

Initially focused on photography, Han developed a deep interest during her studies in the traditional batik indigo dyeing techniques of the Miao ethnic group from her hometown. This led her to delve into the Miao's cultural heritage and incorporate batik into her contemporary artworks.