Exhibitions

Every exhibiton is the collector’s passion and love, this exhibition is the the long-term dedication of Mr. Kao Ying Shih, the founder of the group, to the collection of Suzhou embroidery, selected over 40 pieces of work to set the theme of the exhibition. The exhibition theme can be divided into two main categories: "Ink Brush in Suzhou Embroidery" and "Realistic Copy skill in Suzhou Embroidery."

The Suzhou embroidery works featured in this exhibition are diverse in themes and span a wide range of time. Among them, the most striking large folding screen piece in the exhibition, titled "花開富貴金玉滿堂" (Blooming Flowers Bring Wealth and Jade Fills the House), can be traced back to the 1980s. At that time, during a journey to Hong Kong, the founder encountered an exquisite double-sided embroidered screen at a friend's place and was greatly impressed. This marked the beginning of his interest in embroidery art. Acquiring Chinese art from overseas was challenging at the time, so the founder commissioned a Hong Kong friend to order two double-sided embroidered screens from China. The screens were then shipped back to Taiwan via Hong Kong, making the process quite intricate. The aforementioned "花開富貴金玉滿堂" folding screen is one of the masterpieces acquired through this elaborate process in the early days.

Compared to other forms of art, embroidery is a relatively intricate and delicate artistic form, as silk threads are highly sensitive to light, making it generally unsuitable for prolonged exhibition. However, the founder believes that many of the objects showcased in this exhibition are rare that are difficult to find in the present day. Instead of keeping them stored away, where only a few people would be amazed, there should be an exhibition to allow more people to admired, in turn, understand and appreciate the culture of embroidery. Therefore, the hope is that through the meticulous planning of the curatorial team, the audience can immerse themselves in the beauty of Chinese embroidery, savoring every detail and enjoying the experience.

Theme 1 : The History of Embroidery

The origin of embroidery has diverse interpretations. Some theories suggest that embroidery originated from tattooing. In ancient times, people adorned themselves with tattoos and facial markings as a form of decoration, expressing reverence for nature and life. Another viewpoint posits that embroidery on ancient clothing did not solely originate from tattoo totems but had more practical purposes, aiming to reinforce garments and enhance their aesthetics. Such perspectives can be gleaned from historical records like the "Zhou Li" and "Kao Gong Ji."

Embroidery art began to develop during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. By the Spring and Autumn period, the art of embroidery had reached a high level, with the earliest extant embroidery artifacts dating back to the Warring States period, unearthed in Hunan. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, with the flourishing of Buddhism, embroidery was employed in temple decorations, such as sutra pouches and embroidered Buddha statues. In the Song dynasty, embroidery focused on embroidered paintings, featuring themes like landscapes, architecture, figures, and flora and fauna. The integration of calligraphy and painting into embroidery resulted in unique and appreciated. During the Ming dynasty, embroidery shops were established in Beijing. Refined dyeing and weaving techniques led to the development of a variety of silk colors, making the collection and appreciation of embroidered pieces a trend in upper-class society. In the Qing dynasty, embroidered works were often created for imperial use, showcasing intricate and exquisite craftsmanship. In times, embroidery has not only continued the tradition of appreciative embroidered paintings from the Song dynasty but has also assimilated influences from foreign cultures, breaking free from the confines of traditional Chinese painting and using needle and thread to challenge Western artistic media.

Theme 2 : Four Great Embroideries

Chinese embroidery boasts a rich history and a distinguished tradition, with notable contributions hailing primarily from Jiangsu, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan provinces. These are commonly referred to as 'Su Embroidery' (Suzhou Embroidery), 'Xiang Embroidery' (Hunan Embroidery), 'Yue Embroidery' (Cantonese Embroidery), and 'Shu Embroidery' (Sichuan Embroidery). These four regional styles are collectively known as the "four great embroideries." Among them, Suzhou Embroidery (Su Embroidery) stands out as the most renowned on the global stage.

【Shu Embrodiery】

Jiangsu province is the main production area of embroidery, mostly in Suzhou especially, therefore we refer it as Su Embrodiery. Su Embrodiery is originated from Wuxiang in Suzhou, near Taihu lake,the weather is warm,The region boasts a mild climate and is abundant in silk production. Consequently, it has a long-standing tradition of women excelling in the art of embroidery, particularly in the intricate craft of floral embroidery.the great environment and diversed brocade, colorful thread, create a great condition to develop floral embroidery skill. in the development process, Su Embrodiery form feature of simple composition,elegant colors ,diverse stitch and dedicated work.

【Xiang Embrodiery】

Hunan embroidery, known as Xiang embroidery, is primarily produced in locations such as Changsha and Ningxiang in Hunan province. The earliest extant embroidery artifact is the "Dragon and Phoenix Pattern," unearthed in Changsha in 1958. Xiang embroidery is characterized by its simple and vivid style, showcasing delicate depictions of various animals, birds, and even elegant ladies in gauzy attire.

【Shu Embroidery】

Sichuan embroidery, or Shu embroidery, is mainly produced in Chengdu, Sichuan. The earliest records of Shu embroidery can be found in the "Shu Du Fu" from the Western Han Dynasty, indicating its long and rich history. While there are relatively fewer purely ornamental patterns, Shu embroidery is often incorporated into everyday items such as pillowcases, bed covers, cushions, and handkerchiefs. The most famous among them is the Shu embroidery dragon and phoenix soft satin quilt cover.

【Yue Embroidery】

Cantonese embroidery, collectively referred to as Yue embroidery, encompasses the embroidery styles of Guangzhou, as well as nearby regions like Nanhai and Shunde, along with Chaozhou embroidery from Chaozhou. Yue embroidery is characterized by its decorative and vibrant compositions, featuring rich and vivid colors. The needlework often incorporates techniques such as gold and silver pad embroidery, creating a strong sense of three-dimensionality. It possesses an opulent and majestic artistic style.

Theme 3 : Well-known and important Emrodiery artist

【Wang Li Hua : the master of Su Embrodiery :】

Wang Lihua, a native of Suzhou, Jiangsu, was born into a family with a rich tradition of embroidery. She is a Master of Arts and Crafts in Jiangsu Province, a nationally recognized Senior Master of Arts and Crafts, a visiting professor at the Suzhou University of Arts and Crafts, and a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage project (Suzhou Embroidery).

In 1992, she apprenticed under the Chinese Master of Arts and Crafts, Yu Fuzhen. From 1992 to 2004, she established the Wang Lihua Embroidery Department and engaged in creative guidance. Since 2004, she has been the founder of Suzhou Jiangnan Yi Embroidery Craft Co., Ltd., serving as the Creative and Artistic Director.

Her art work have received over 26 national and provincial gold awards, more than 50 silver awards, and nearly a hundred bronze awards. Collections of her works can be found in prominent institutions such as the China National Art Museum and the Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Memorial Hall. In 2013, she obtained a patent for the Eight-Technique Needlework, a technique she developed. Over the past five years, she has held solo international exhibitions, academic exhibitions, and in May 2019, a personal exhibition of her works was hosted at the China National Art Museum.

【Yao Jian Ping : Queen of Su Embrodiery 】

Yao Jian Ping was born in Suzhou Zhenhu, well-known embroidery artist,representative inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage project (Su Embroidery) also known as Queen of Embroidery. 、 In 1997, Yao JianPing was bestowed with the title of "Master of Industrial Folk Art" by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and her artistic achievements are well-known internationally.

In 1998, she established Suzhou Zhenhu Embroidery Graduate School, then established Yao Jian Ping Embroidery Art Museum. Until 2012, her Su Embrodiery work ‘Queen of England- Elizabeth II’ was officially collect by British Royal Family, it is the very first time that Buckingham Palace archive the work of Chinese modern artist. The works she created have received the top prize, the "Shanhua Award," at the China Folk Literature and Art Awards four times and have won over a dozen international awards. She is the first embroidery artist in the history of Chinese embroidery to have held a solo exhibition in a national art museum. In 2014, Tsinghua University established the Yao Jianping Advanced Embroidery Workshop, dedicated to cultivating a new generation of embroidery talents who possess both the skill of embroidery and an understanding of painting.

Theme 4 : The Ink Brush Application in Emboridiery

Embroidery can be broadly classified into two categories based on its creative purpose: practical embroidery and appreciative embroidery. Appreciative one develop later, with significant development starting from the Song Dynasty. Due to the preference of Tang and Song literati for calligraphy and painting, the artistic styles of these disciplines directly influenced the embroidery styles of that time.

Chinese art places a strong emphasis on "lines," a distinctive characteristic that express in painting through techniques such as freehand drawing and double hooks, and in calligraphy through various script styles like clerical script and cursive script.

Given that embroidery emphasizes "using the needle as a brush and the thread as ink," it naturally showcases this linear character splendidly. Embroiderers skillfully use silk threads with different qualities and gradient colors, not only to reproduce the original brush’'s tempo and rhythm but also to pay attention to the color transitions of the embroidery thread. This meticulous approach is essential to faithfully convey the artistic conception of the original, demonstrating a profound level of skill that is truly impressive.

Theme 5 : About Embrodiery’s Copy of Real

Embrodiery and painting has deep relationship and along the high development of admiring embroidery painting, civilizen has raised, the topic of embroidery has changed from royal to folk life , from Chinese painting art to western arts.

In the early years of China, the embroidery master Shen Shou, inspired by Western art, incorporated the strengths of Japanese embroidery and European and American painting into his works. Emphasizing the pursuit of light, he paid attention to the contrast between light and shadow, giving rise to what is known as "realistic embroidery." Shen Shou stressed the importance of embroiderers devoting themselves to observation, presenting states where shadows are influenced by light and colors are altered by light.

By the 1930s, Yang Shouyu departed from the traditional embroidery technique of dense and orderly stitches. Instead, he introduced a method using intersecting lines of varying lengths and colors to depict objects in a layered manner. This innovation resulted in the lively and colorful "chaotic embrodiery."

Under the skilled interpretation of embroiderers, realistic embroidery with vivid depictions often conveys profound artistic conceptions, immersing viewers in its beauty. These continuously evolving realistic embroidered works have, in a time of abundant resources, advanced smoothly onto the international stage through the delicate touch of the needle.

Theme 6: Embroidery Process

【Design Selection】

The choice of embroidery design is important, as the quality of the design largely determines the excellence of the embroidery.

【Tracing】

A skilled individual traces the embroidery design from the original manuscript or transfers the pattern onto the fabric using printing methods.

【Color Separation】

A specialist selects threads of suitable types and colors based on the original design's colors and chooses appropriate stitching techniques.

【Embroidery Application】

Skilled artisans, selected based on their expertise, execute the embroidery. During the process, constant reference to the original design is necessary to adjust subtle color and thread thickness variations.