'For our people, what we wear is who we are. Our jewelry and our clothing represent where we come from. We wear our history', says Jim Hart, Haida artist. So do the Miao. They stitch epics on their clothes!

Numbering over eight million people and scattered throughout the provinces of Hunan, Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, with the majority settled in Guizhou, the Miao form a very important ethnic group in the southwestern part of China, and are the minority group most well known for their textile techniques: embroidery, brocade weaving and batik. Traditionally the Miao live in mountainous regions, which results in their complicated sub groups and intricate language systems. However, the many Miao branches have their own costumes which are the best way to tell one branch from another.

Most of the Miao's lavish costume items are decorated with flowers, birds and animals from the surrounding landscape—anthropomorphic and zoomorphic images that are often abstracted, and the patterns of their traditional auspicious designs appear geometric. These minority communities weave their histories through these intricate fabrics, reflecting their relationship with the environment and uniqueness of the cultural make-up of the clan. Instead of writing languages, the application of the carefully combined colors, intricate embroidery to the fabric, and fancy silver ornaments provides the group with an outlet to express feelings and emotions.

The Epic Stitched on Miao's Clothes tells the amazing story of the Miao peoples. In addition to a loom and a spinner, over 600 exquisite artifacts of 30 Miao branches’ costumes and silver ornaments are on display. This historic exhibition provides Taiwanese with a rare opportunity to experience Miao’s featured culture in a new way.

The Epic Stitched on Miao's Clothes is organized by the National Museum of Natural Science, Taiwan, in cooperation with The Graduate Institute of Textiles and Clothing at Fu Jen Catholic University, The National Taiwan Craft Research Institute, and The Long River Art Museum.

• Exhibit Event: Lecture‧August 20, 2:00pm – 4:00pm‧At the Red Conference Room of the Museum

  The Wordless Book on Miao's Clothes

  Speaker: Wang Wei-kuang, Manager of Little Prince Art Studio, Art Educator, Field Collector of Miao Peoples, and Children’s Book Writer