Wang Yiqiong, left, paints with two Miao craftswomen. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, impromptu graffiti has been popular for years. It has become an important means of interaction between contemporary artists and locals as well as visitors. However, it is the first time for Danzhai residents to take part in the construction of contemporary art using such a method.

For Miao blue calico painters, it was a challenging task, even for Yang Fang, an adept craftswoman as well as a provincial inheritor of the Miao blue calico technique. When she was invited to paint on the wall using spray paint, she felt confused. "I'm afraid I may not do well. I don't know how to use those things," she said.