Minneapolis Institute of Art Presents “Threads of the Way: Daoist Priest Robes from China’s Qing Dynasty” –– Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minneapolis Institute of Art Presents “Threads of the Way: Daoist Priest Robes from China’s Qing Dynasty”

Drawn from Mia’s collection, this exhibition reveals the spiritual depth, artistic brilliance, and ritual significance woven into these rare 17th- to 19th-century Daoist robes

July 30, 2025

Minneapolis—The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) invites visitors to step into a richly embroidered spiritual world with “Threads of the Way: Daoist Priest Robes from China’s Qing Dynasty,” on view August 30, 2025, through February 1, 2026. The exhibition showcases nine rare ceremonial garments and a Daoist statue from Mia’s acclaimed collection of Chinese art.

Daoism, one of China’s foundational belief systems, envisions a universe shaped by harmony, natural rhythms, cosmic order, and the quest for spiritual transcendence and immortality. The exhibition explores how this philosophy was created through two extraordinary types of priestly robes: the sleeveless jiangyi and the long-sleeved hechang. Lavishly embroidered with phoenixes, sacred mountains, zodiac symbols, and celestial diagrams, these robes were worn during complex rituals that transformed the priest into a living embodiment of the cosmos.

“These magnificent robes are more than ritual dress—they are visual theologies, woven embodiments of Daoist cosmology,” said Yang Liu, Chair of Asian Art and Curator of Chinese Art at Mia. “Through their vibrant symbols and sacred forms, we see how the priest’s body became a conduit between heaven and earth. By foregrounding these rarely seen garments, this exhibition invites viewers to experience Daoism not just as belief, but as beauty, performance, and transformation stitched into silk.”

Visitors will encounter the robes not only as exquisite works of textile art, but also as tools of belief and transformation. The exhibition invites audiences to linger over every embroidered medallion and symbolic detail. Each stitch reflects centuries of spiritual practice and artistic mastery, offering a rare view into one of China’s most complex and visually rich traditions.

“Threads of the Way” presents seldom-seen works from Mia’s outstanding collection, making public a treasure trove of spiritual material culture. This exhibit honors garments as both aesthetic objects and conduits of transcendence.

Exhibition Details

For more information on “Threads of the Way: Daoist Priest Robes from China’s Qing Dynasty” and other upcoming exhibitions, visit www.artsmia.org.

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About the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Home to more than 100,000 works of art representing 5,000 years of world history, the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) inspires wonder, spurs creativity, and nourishes the imagination. With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the finest art collections in the country—from all corners of the globe, from ancient to contemporary—Mia links the past to the present, enables global conversations, and offers an exceptional setting for inspiration. Learn more about Mia in our latest Impact Report.

General admission to Mia is always free, but some special exhibitions charge a nominal fee.

For more information, call + 1 612 870 3000 or visit www.artsmia.org. Everyone is welcome. Always.