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Daniel Chyi 戚钊

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Miranda Derrick & Bdash | Live performance at the Micheal Jackson - King of Style - Round Table

Chinese Tradition

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Step into the vivid world of Woodblock New Year Prints (木版年画) — a traditional Chinese folk art once used to celebrate the Lunar New Year with colour, luck, and meaning. These hand-carved, brightly printed works were not just art; they were symbols of protection, prosperity, and storytelling, passed down through generations.

Now, in New Zealand’s multicultural and artistic landscape, this ancient practice is being reinterpreted by Kiwi artists, educators, and cultural communities. From printmaking studios in Wellington to Lunar New Year festivals in Auckland and Christchurch, woodblock New Year prints are making a comeback — not just as beautiful décor, but as a deeply symbolic cross-cultural dialogue.

With rising interest in heritage art, slow print techniques, and East Asian aesthetics, Aotearoa is embracing 木版年画 in ways both traditional and modern. They’re being used in:

Art exhibitions and gallery installations exploring identity and diaspora

School and university programs teaching cultural literacy through hands-on printmaking

Local design markets showcasing sustainable, hand-crafted giftware

Collaborations between Māori and Chinese artists focused on whakapapa and pattern-based storytelling

This resurgence is more than nostalgic — it’s a statement. A statement that even in a digital world, people still crave human touch, cultural richness, and ritual connection.

Hashtags:
#woodblockprintnz #chinesenewyearnz #lunarnewyearartnz #heritagecraftnz #culturalartnz #multiculturalnz #printmakingnz #folkartnz #nzasianart #slowartnz #traditionalprintnz

Chinese Tradition

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Discover the delicate brilliance of 螺钿象棋 — Chinese chess (象棋) pieces inlaid with intricate mother-of-pearl (螺钿), a centuries-old decorative technique celebrated across East Asia. This visually stunning video showcases master artisans carefully crafting each piece, layering shimmering shell fragments into richly lacquered surfaces.

For New Zealand viewers, this is more than cultural appreciation — it’s an invitation to explore how traditional Eastern craftsmanship can inspire modern Kiwi design and storytelling. As interest in Asian-Pacific artisan goods grows among Aotearoa’s interior designers, collectors, and cultural educators, these handmade chess sets speak to a deeper desire for connection, elegance, and craftsmanship.

Mother-of-pearl work resonates deeply with New Zealand’s own Pāua shell traditions, forming a bridge between Chinese decorative arts and Māori design sensibilities. Whether you're a lover of fine objects, a maker working with natural materials, or an educator exploring cross-cultural art forms, this is a rare look into how old-world craftsmanship continues to thrive — and inspire — today.

Why it matters in New Zealand:

Aligns with growing Kiwi interest in slow-made, natural-material goods

Inspires local artisans working with shell, lacquer, or game design

Appeals to collectors, designers, and educators passionate about cross-cultural heritage

Connects with Aotearoa’s deep appreciation for objects with story, skill, and soul

Hashtags:
#motherofpearlnz #chinesechessnz #lacquerartnz #artisancraftnz #traditionalasianartnz #nzcollectors #chessdesignnz #culturalheritagenz #pāuameetspearl #nzinteriordesign #handcraftedgamesnz #kiwiartmeetsasia