Feather Adornments: Boris Huang

“What makes my feather artworks different from others is the skill passing and culture crossing from two different ethnicities. There’s love, encouragement and home for a stranger like me to settle in, and there’s respect for this land and culture.”
—Boris Huang

With a background in engineering and business, Boris Huang decided to apprentice with the Hawaiian Feather Lei Master, Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa and learn Hawaiian feather work. In traditional Hawaiian culture, leis and other feather adornments represent welcoming and compassion as well as protection. In the past such pieces were reserved solely for royalty, but today Huang has made feather leis for a number of celebrities, dignitaries and special events.

Huang is a master of the laborious technique where each single feather is individually tied to a textile net base. Feathers are sustainably sourced from moltings and other harmless means of gathering. Before Huang even begins creating, the feathers must be carefully washed, cleaned and dried. Feathers from different parts of the bird have different qualities and these subtle variations become the basis for aesthetic decisions. 

Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Harvest – Bountiful Blessings, 2024, feather cape. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Safeguard Auspiciousness, 2024, feather apron. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Safeguard Auspiciousness, 2024, feather apron, detail. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Tranquil Resplendence – Beauty of the Feathers Series, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Tranquil Resplendence – Beauty of the Feathers Series, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Golden Age of Opulent Beauty, Hat Band, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Golden Age of Opulent Beauty, Hat Band, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Cherry Blossom Madness, 2024. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang, Cherry Blossom Madness, detail. Photo: Madison Metro
Boris Huang, Wisdom of the Black Tortoise (Guardian of the North)
Boris Huang, Wisdom of the Black Tortoise (Guardian of the North), 玄武智, 2025 Photo: Victoria May
Boris Huang, Prosperous Azure Dragon (Guardian of the East)
Boris Huang, Prosperous Azure Dragon (Guardian of the East) 青龍昌, 2025 Photo: Victoria May
Boris Huang, Mighty White Tiger (Guardian of the West)
Boris Huang, Mighty White Tiger (Guardian of the West), 白虎威, 2025 Photo: Victoria May
Boris Huang Splendor of the Vermilion Bird (Guardian of the South), 2025
Boris Huang Splendor of the Vermilion Bird (Guardian of the South), 朱雀華, 2025 Photo: Victoria May
Boris Huang, Craft in America
Boris Huang installation view. Photo: Madison Metro.

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This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.