Art beats nature! World's oldest embroidery technique booms in Suzhou

Suzhou embroidery, also called Su embroidery, is one of the oldest embroidery techniques in the world, with origins stretching back more than 2,000 years.

The craft, which dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280), became a sideline of people in the Suzhou area during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Well known for its smoothness and delicateness, Su embroidery won Suzhou the title City of Embroidery in the Qing Dynasty. In the mid and late Qing, Su embroidery experienced further developments involving works of double-sided embroidering. There were 65 embroidery stores in Suzhou City. During the Republic of China period (1912-1949), the Su embroidery industry was in decline due to frequent wars and it was restored and regenerated after the founding of new China. In 1950, the central government set up research centers for Su embroidery and launched training courses for the study of embroidery. Weaving methods have climbed from 18 to the present 40.

Unlike many traditional arts that are in danger of disappearing, experts believe that Suzhou embroidery will continue to flourish because it is deeply rooted among ordinary people.

Yao Jianping, known as the Queen of Embroidery, born in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, is one of the few inheritors of the Su embroidery art form. She first picked up a needle at the age of eight.

Yao established the Suzhou Zhenhu Embroidery Research Institute in 1998 and Embroidery Art Gallery of Yao Jianping in 2002. She won four gold medals of Shanhua Awards, the highest honor for folk arts of China, and over 10 international awards. Her works were carried to outer space on a satellite twice before.

The ancient embroidery technique is now booming in Suzhou with efforts made by folk artists like Yao Jianping.