“The Other Side of the Sea” – Exhibition by Jiaxi Han

“The Other Side of the Sea” marks Jiaxi Han’s first solo exhibition in Hong Kong. The artist explores the historical and cultural narratives woven into patterns, bridging Eastern and Western cultures through contemporary expression. Rooted in her heritage as a member of an ethnic minority in Southwest China, she carries forward the traditional craft of batik—an intangible cultural heritage—to reinterpret motifs from Swiss textiles, Hong Kong’s characteristic architectural ornamentation, and global trade histories. Her work uncovers the overlooked connections between craftsmanship, migration, and colonial legacies, revealing how patterns serve as silent witnesses to cultural exchange.

From hand-drawn batik textiles reflecting Miao women’s labor to fabrics inspired by Swiss paisley designs once exported to Asia, each piece carries layered stories of tradition, adaptation, and reinvention. By merging the traditional technique of batik and indigo dyeing with contemporary themes, the exhibition invites viewers to see patterns not merely as decoration but as living archives of history, identity, and shared human experience.

About the Artist - Jiaxi Han:

Jiaxi Han is a visual artist who creates contemporary artworks by exploring traditional heritage and languages from Chinese and European cultures. She focuses on cross-cultural dialogue and the interplay between tradition and contemporary expression, with a particular interest in Miao indigo dyed batik (苗族藍染蠟染工藝).

Jiaxi Han, born in 1993 in Guizhou, southwest of China, is of Buyi ethnicity (布依族). Her artistic practice is deeply inspired by the rich minority culture and natural landscapes of her hometown, particularly the traditional craftsmanship of the Buyi and Miao ethnic groups. She earned a BA in Visual Arts from Hong Kong Baptist University in 2017 and a double MA in Visual Arts and Transdisciplinary Arts from HKBU and Zurich University of the Arts in 2021. Since 2018, she has worked and traveled between Europe, Hong Kong, and mainland China, integrating these diverse cultural experiences into her artistic practice.

Exhibition Period: March 11 - 23, 2025 | 11am – 7pm

Opening Reception: March 11, 2025 17:00 - 20:00