Pith Flower Shop
Pith Flower Shop was founded to share the rare and nearly 2,000-year-old Taiwanese art of pith flower making, which uses the inner pith of the Tetrapanax papyrifer (tongcao) plant. This delicate craft holds a special place in Taiwan’s cultural history but is at risk of dying out. Thanks to support from the Fulbright Scholar Program and the RISD Maharam STEAM Fellowship, I’ve conducted in-depth research on this craft, training under Taiwanese master artist Jerry Chen, who has been co-leading its revival effort alongside members of the Taiwan Tong Cao Association
Through Pith Flower Shop, my mission is to preserve and share this unique art form with broader communities, helping people learn about its historical and cultural significance. I’m especially committed to providing Taiwanese-American families a way to connect with their heritage through the tradition of pith flower making. Each flower is carefully handcrafted, and all proceeds go back into furthering research, education, and outreach to ensure that this precious cultural tradition is not lost.
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