At the cultural and creative market in Baishamen Park, Haikou City, Hainan Province, a small shop with distinct ethnic characteristics displays many handicrafts designed with the element of "Li Jin." This shop, named "Island Fun," is owned by an American woman named Nicki. She has adopted a Chinese name, Xie Min, and has been living in Hainan for nearly 20 years. Hainan has become her second hometown. ●Report by He Mei, Special Correspondent An Li, Hainan for Hong Kong Wen Wei Po
Complex Craftsmanship and Rich Color Hidden with Unique Meanings
Nicki said she first came to China in 1999 to teach English in Guangzhou and found Chinese culture very intriguing. In 2000, she went to Xiamen University to learn Chinese. "China is so vast that one semester is far from enough to understand it." After graduating and getting married, Nicki and her husband settled in Hainan in 2005.
Nicki's introduction to "Li Jin" came from a gift from a friend. She was captivated by the exquisite patterns, complex weaving techniques, and vibrant colors of "Li Jin." After gaining a deeper understanding of "Li Jin," Nicki found Li ethnic culture fascinating. "The Li ethnic group has no written characters; cultural transmission has its own unique methods, and 'Li Jin' is one of them." Nicki said she visited several Li ethnic villages in Hainan to learn about local women weaving "Li Jin." The patterns of "Li Jin" have special meanings. She also participated in training courses to learn to hand-weave "Li Jin," "But it's so difficult, it would take a lifetime to master," she said with an embarrassed laugh.
Started Design Creation in 2020 Hoping More People to Learn About "Li Jin"
In Nicki's view, cultural heritage should not only be exhibited in museums but also integrated into everyday life. Nicki started her "Li Jin" design and creation journey, initially prompted by an invitation from a friend to participate in the Hainan Culture Week organized by the local government in 2020. During this time, artists and designers from various countries were invited to design works using elements of Hainan's Li ethnic culture. Since then, Nicki has embarked on her "Li Jin" design and creative path.
Nicki's design philosophy revolves around "love Hainan, love art, love nature," mainly using natural materials such as cotton, linen, and coconut shells, while avoiding plastic and other chemical products. Her designs mostly consist of practical items, such as earrings, necklaces, hair clips, and bags that feature Hainan "Li Jin" patterns. Nicki believes that these handmade daily items "animate" Hainan "Li Jin" culture.
Nicki said she once saw an exhibition of "Li Jin" "Dragon Blanket" at the Wuzhishan Minority Museum. She took photos and designed a notebook cover with them, bringing the "Li Jin" "Dragon Blanket" out of the museum and into daily life. Nicki plans to incorporate cultural and natural elements from various parts of Hainan into her design works. She hopes to promote intangible cultural heritage well, so more people, especially young people, can understand and love "Li Jin."
Connecting with Artists from Around the World Exploring Art and Promoting Hainan
There are many foreign artists in Hainan who love "Li Jin" as well. Nicki said she met Ally from the United States and Inge from South Africa through "Li Jin." The trio is very interested in the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, often discussing how to blend traditional culture with an "international style" to breathe modern life into ancient art.
In Nicki's small shop, there are also works from artists from the USA, Russia, Ukraine, and China. Most of these works are related to Hainan's cultural elements, including fridge magnets, paper-cuts, and paintings. Nicki states that with this platform of "Island Fun," they should be welcoming more artists with an open and inclusive mindset, regardless of where they come from. As long as their design concepts align and are related to Hainan culture, they're welcome to promote and consign their works in the shop. Nicki is also actively preparing to open an online store when conditions permit to promote Hainan and "Li Jin" culture internationally.