Year of the Fire Horse Celebrated with Traditional Chinese Art in New York City
As New York City experienced a welcome break from the Arctic temperatures on February 17, Lunar New Year celebrations took over Chinatown’s Mott Street. Among the festivities was illustrator and educator Sarula Bao, who brought a unique twist to the traditional Chinese art form of “bu zha” as part of Think!Chinatown’s Lantern Residency.
Bao, the chosen artist for this year’s Lantern Residency, drew inspiration from bu zha, a form of embroidery associated with the Bai ethnic minority in China’s Yunnan province. Typically, bu zha are small silk animal handicrafts embroidered with intricate designs, serving as symbols of luck and protection. Bao’s interpretation of this art form took the shape of a fabric horse puppet, named “Xiao Baoma” or “Little Precious Horse,” adorned with traditional Chinese New Year motifs such as mandarins, fish, coins, and yuanbao.
Reflecting on her creation, Bao shared, “I wanted to include some traditional Chinese New Year motifs that are most associated with luck and prosperity, such as mandarins, fish, coins, and the yuanbao, which was historically used as currency.” She also incorporated her own symbols of luck and happiness, including stars, music notes, and a house to evoke a sense of home.
Bao’s bu zha puppet made a striking appearance during the Mott Street procession, standing out against the backdrop of the festive atmosphere and colorful confetti showers. The puppet will be showcased again during the Super Saturday lantern celebration on February 28, from 3pm to 5pm, as part of Think!Chinatown’s ongoing series of events to mark the Year of the Horse.
Aside from her work on the Lantern Residency project, Bao is also the director of Endless Editions at the Brooklyn Art Book Fair. She infuses her research-based practice with her unique visual language, creating pieces that resonate with cultural significance and personal meaning.
As Lunar New Year celebrations continue in Chinatown, with a vibrant display of confetti poppers, sparklers, and festive decorations, Bao’s bu zha puppet serves as a symbol of tradition and innovation in honoring this auspicious occasion.
