Weaving a decorative history
Xinjiang artisans use traditional patterns to tell stories and attempt to ignite the next generation's interest to keep the ancient craft alive, Xing Wen in Hotan and Mao Weihua in Urumqi report.
"We have to constantly adapt to new trends as the patterns and colors favored by young people are very different from those preferred by the older generation," he says.
Compared to the traditional carpets with their bright, diverse colors and intricate patterns, today's consumers prefer simpler designs and low-saturated colors, he adds.
His own living room is adorned with a large off-white carpet with a simple pattern while his bedroom features a carpet older than himself.
"The old one is a wedding gift from my grandparents to my parents. It is my most cherished carpet."
Every year, he takes Hotan handmade carpet products to expos across the country to seek new sales channels and exchange ideas with peers on new designs.
For example, to echo this year's zodiac sign — the dragon — the company collaborated with a designer from Tianjin in North China to create a carpet featuring the mystical creature as the main image.
Despite his factory having a steady stream of orders, including from customers in countries like Japan, the United States, Portugal, Spain and Australia, he remains concerned about the shortage of backup designers.
