Cao Meijie: Master of Kesi, Weaving Tradition into Innovation

Traditional Chinese Silk Brooch Butterfly Dream Pattern Elegant Handcrafted Brooch
Cao Meijie, born in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province in 1957, is an Internationally Registered Master of Arts and Crafts, a National Senior Arts and Crafts Artist, and a representative inheritor of Suzhou's intangible cultural heritage (kesi). She currently serves as Director of the Management Committee of the China Kesi Culture Public Welfare Fund and Vice President of the Kesi Professional Committee of the Suzhou Arts and Crafts Association. With over 30 years of experience, she has deeply cultivated the art of kesi, integrating traditional craftsmanship with modern design to develop kesi products that are both artistic and practical. These products are widely used in gifts, clothing, and other fields, and have been recognized by the government, businesses, and overseas markets. Her works have won one international gold medal, 11 national gold medals, and 37 other awards. She holds two invention patents, 16 utility model patents, nine design patents, and 87 copyrights. She focuses on technological innovation, refining traditional kesi techniques to enhance production efficiency and artistic expression. She also actively promotes the inheritance of the art of kesi, establishes a kesi education system, and collaborates with universities to cultivate professional talent. In addition, she has been invited to demonstrate her skills overseas many times, promoting the international dissemination of kesi culture and giving new vitality to this traditional craft.
曹美姐，1957年生于江苏苏州，国际注册工艺美术大师、国家级高级工艺美术师、苏州市级非物质文化遗产（缂丝）代表性传承人。现担任中国缂丝文化公益基金管理委员会主任、苏州市工艺美术学会缂丝专业委员会副会长等职。  
从业30余年，她深耕缂丝技艺，将传统工艺与现代设计结合，开发出兼具艺术性和实用性的缂丝产品，广泛应用于礼品、服饰等领域，受到政府、企业及海外市场的认可。其作品荣获国际金奖1项、国家级金奖11项、其他奖项37项，并拥有发明专利2项、实用新型专利16项、外观专利9项及著作权87项。  
她注重技术创新，在传统缂丝技法基础上改良工艺，提升生产效率与艺术表现力。同时积极推动行业传承，建立缂丝教学体系，与高校合作培养专业人才。此外，她多次受邀赴海外进行技艺展示，促进缂丝文化的国际传播，使这一传统工艺焕发新的生命力。