The exhibition "Mar'iang! Dialogue of Needle and Thread— Cross-Stitch Culture of the Pingpu Peoples in Southern Taiwan", organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government, grandly opened yesterday (the 12th) at the Taichung Fiber Arts Museum.  This exhibition focuses on the cross-stitch craftsmanship of the Pingpu indigenous peoples in southern Taiwan, and leads the public to appreciate the aesthetics and wisdom of ethnic culture through needlework by presenting 21 components of precious cultural relics such as the Siraya, Dawulang, and Makadao peoples.

Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Jia-Jun Chen, stated in her opening speech that the Taichung Fiber Arts Museum is one of the few museums in Taiwan that houses cultural artifacts of the Pingpu indigenous peoples from southern Taiwan. Over the years, the museum has analyzed 21 sets of cross-stitch embroidery pieces, thoroughly documenting their patterns, motifs, and colors. Furthermore, digital technology has been used to compile the research findings into a cultural language and aesthetic elements that can be read, deconstructed, and reassembled. The theme of this exhibition, "Mar’iang!", means "beautiful" and "wonderful" in the common vocabulary of the Siraya, Taivoan, and Makatao peoples of southern Taiwan’s Pingpu indigenous groups, and it is a concrete presentation of the research results accumulated over the years.

The exhibition is jointly curated by Professor Ying-Ling Chang of Shu-Te University and Siraya cultural expert Hung-Kun Duan. At its core, the exhibition revolves around the concept of "Dialogue through Needle and Thread." The journey begins with "Tracing the Source," exploring the historical origins and migration paths of the Pingpu indigenous peoples of southern Taiwan. It features a meticulous, long-term analysis of 21 artifacts from the museum’s collection—including belts, pouches, sword belts, and dudou (traditional Chinese undergarments)—to decode the cosmology and social order embedded within their patterns. Finally, the narrative extends to the "Lifestyle" section, showcasing the aesthetic craftsmanship of daily attire through 14 sets of replicated cultural and creative works.

In addition, an interactive experience area has been planned to transform these ancient cultural elements into contemporary design aesthetics. Visitors can closely appreciate the delicate geometric patterns and color arrangements, gaining an understanding of the beliefs of the southern Pingpu indigenous peoples. Curator Professor Hung-Kun Duan stated that the exhibition features items such as sword belts and dudous adorned with dragon and phoenix motifs and Chinese characters, reflecting Sinicized influences. These pieces were created in response to market demand by combining traditional cross-stitch techniques with Han Chinese auspicious totems, representing a "cultural synthesis." This showcases the early indigenous people's strong ability to borrow and creatively integrate cultures.

The exhibition opening ceremony specially invited the " Taivoan Dance Group ," composed of Taivoan people from the Sunlight Xiaolin community in Kaohsiung, to perform. The troupe members, ranging from children and young adults to tribal elders, began the exhibition with the melodious chanting of ancient ballads called " Bang-gung-hi." Their resonant singing not only symbolizes the revival and transmission of tribal culture but also demonstrates a strong vitality. Many tribe members attended the event in person, moving through the exhibition space, carefully gazing at every stitch left by their ancestors. Through observing the patterns and colors, they sought connections to their own culture, completing a cultural dialogue that transcended time and space in the midst of tranquility.

The "Mar'iang! Dialogue of Needle and Thread— Cross-Stitch Culture Exhibition of the Pingpu Peoples in Southern Taiwan" is now open and will run until September 6. In addition to the static displays, the exhibition features a series of keynote lectures, tribal markets, and numerous hands-on workshops. We warmly invite everyone to visit the Museum of Fiber Arts to witness the unique cultural heritage of Taiwan's diverse ethnic groups through these intricate cross-stitch patterns. For more details and registration information, please visit the Fiber Arts Museum official website or follow our Facebook fan page.