Wings of tradition

Young artisans are reviving traditional crafts by blending cultural heritage with modern innovation, making ancient arts accessible to today's youth.

At 13, Huang Qian drew a picture of people flying with wings, titled The Future. With her father's help, she transferred it onto a piece of purple pottery, ensuring it would be preserved without fading.

Now 30, Huang has given wings to the future of her hometown's purple pottery in Jianshui county, helping it soar beyond the mountains of Yunnan province.

Huang comes from a long line of purple pottery artisans and is the seventh generation to carry on this ancient craft. Dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Jianshui purple pottery was recognized as a State-level intangible cultural heritage in 2008.