Taiwanese embroidery artisan Nien Pi-hua (粘碧華) has received the National Crafts Achievement Award, becoming the first female winner of the highest honor in Taiwan’s crafts sector.
Minister of Culture Shih Che (史哲) presented the award to Nien at the National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute, the organizer of the award, in Nantou County on Saturday, the Ministry of Culture said in a press release.
After dedicating over 40 years to the field of embroidery, Nien was named the winner of the award for her achievements and selfless contributions in preserving traditional techniques and bringing to life embroidery in contemporary Taiwan, the institute said.
Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture
Nien is the first female and the first artist in fiber arts to receive the award since its establishment in 2007, Shih said.
Craftsmanship embodies Taiwan’s abundant and diverse cultural soft power, provides material for expressing Taiwan’s contexts and innovation and serves as a driving force for the country’s economic development, he said.
The minister thanked Taiwanese artisans for their efforts in preserving these art forms with an earnest spirit that is a positive force that makes society better.
Nien thanked the judging panel for the honor and all her artisan friends who had guided and encouraged her as she created, studied and promoted the craft.
She also expressed gratitude to all her relatives and friends who had supported her along the way as well as those from academia, civil societies and relevant government agencies for their assistance.
Chuang Po-he (莊伯和), a member of the judging panel and former board member of the National Culture and Arts Foundation, said that this year’s award was unanimously chosen by the panel after carefully assessing 40 candidates.
Nien’s academic background, research in embroidery techniques and long-term dedication to the education and promotion of the craft made her an obvious choice, he said.
She combined Eastern and Western techniques as well as contributing unique takes to the delicacy and elegance of the tradition, opening up a new chapter in Taiwan’s embroidery craft, the institute said.
Nien is known for her “embroidered jewelry” creations inspired by historical totem patterns, literary allusions and daily life, which show a flexible adaptation of various embroidery techniques, it said.
She has long been actively organizing embroidery craft exhibitions, lectures, training and education promotion activities to popularize the craft, the institute said.
To give back to society, she provided embroidery classes for the disadvantaged, students in remote areas and indigenous people, it said.
Nien’s work is on display at the Craft Exhibition Hall in the Taiwan Craft Cultural Park in Nantou County until April 7 next year.
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