Violet Stream (Window View) Shu Painting Necklace

In the 1960s, Sichuan artist Li Xingxing Wu pioneered a new form of silk artistry—Shu Painting, inspired by ancient Chinese silk paintings from the Han and Jin dynasties.
At that time, hand-painting on silk was considered nearly impossible, as traditional pigments would blur or fade on smooth fabric. But after over 30 years of collaboration with silk designers from Chengdu’s Silk Pattern Research Institute, Li developed a special silk-friendly dyeing system. It allowed colors to stay vibrant and clear—even on delicate, glossy silk. The result was breathtaking: a form of washable silk painting with brilliant gradients and flowing textures. Unlike prints or embroidery, Shu Painting captured the elegance of ink wash and the radiance of real silk. For decades, Shu Painting served as a cultural ambassador of Sichuan, featured in fashion exports and national exhibitions. Today, it's being rediscovered through wearable art—scarves, dresses, accessories—and once again shining in everyday life.

A breakthrough in traditional silk painting — Shu Painting solved the technical challenge of “painting on real silk.” Even large, hand-painted areas stay vibrant without smudging or fading. Yes, it’s even washable! Every piece is hand-painted on real silk, and no two are ever the same. Temperature, humidity, and brush pressure all affect the final look. Compared to digital printing, the colors are richer, more luminous, and full of depth — revealing a soul and elegance no machine can recreate.

Shu Painting is a silk dye-painting craft recognized as intangible cultural heritage. It was founded by Master Li Xingwu in the 1960s, building upon the techniques of Han dynasty silk paintings and Jin dynasty fine-brush art on silk. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese fine-line light-color painting (gongbi dan cai), and through over 30 years of exploration by multiple silk pattern designers, Shu Painting developed its own specially formulated silk dyes. These dyes adhere beautifully to smooth silk surfaces, producing brilliant, luminous colors that never fade — even over time or with washing. Passed down through four generations, Shu Painting remains a living craft today. In both cultural meaning and artistic form, it reflects the rich regional identity of Sichuan, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Shu Kingdom. Following in the lineage of Shu Brocade and Shu Embroidery, it represents a modern evolution of Sichuan’s silk artistry.