Time for revival

"That was an important thing I learned from Lin-to integrate cultural traditions, such as Dunhuang's art and the jingtailan craft, into people's lives," Chang says.

Now in her 80s, Chang maintains her dedication to innovating in the age-old craft. One of her latest designs is a cloisonne case bearing Dunhuang's patterns and her paintings of pear blossoms. She is also known for painting different kinds of flowers.

The case is now on show at A New Chapter of Time exhibition at the National Museum of China in Beijing, which runs through Oct 10, to celebrate the craftsmanship and creativity of artists like Chang who are trying to give traditional crafts a modern context.

The exhibition shows more than 100 artworks by 60 leading figures in the field from across the country, offering a glimpse into their latest experimental techniques in the arts and crafts.