Young inheritor injects dynamism into Guangdong Embroidery

(ECNS) -- Liang Xiaoman, the sixth generation inheritor of a Guangdong Embroidery family, was taught the craft by her mother since about five.

Guangdong Embroidery, one of China's four most well-known customs, has a history exceeding 1,000 years.

The three other embroideries are Suzhou, Hunan and Sichuan.

The Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) were the heyday of Guangdong Embroidery, during which craftworks were exported to European countries and America, becoming fashionable in these regions.

"I was interested in cartoons and animation when I was at middle and high school, so my mom encouraged me to create works based on favored themes. I created a work on my own and that work was quite different from what I learned before in terms of themes and skills. I combined concepts of modern design and painting with it. It was a breakthrough and I saw the possibilities of Guangdong Embroidery through these novel ideas. It broke the limits of traditional themes like typical depictions of Chinese plants and animals. Actually, you can embroider what you like as long as you show the cultural meaning behind it through excellent skills," said Liang Xiaoman, the sixth generation inheritor of Guangdong Embroidery.

To innovate Guangdong Embroidery, Liang chose environmental art design as her college major to help make Guangdong Embroidery more accessible.

Liang took the embroidery out of picture frames and duplicated it on home decorations, earrings, necklaces, ties, etc.

"Guangdong Embroidery is more than a painting or embroidery. Its themes can be trendy, too. It can be used as a decoration on outfits to show our unique tastes. We also cooperate with vehicle brands, for example, we made inner decorations for Hongqi automobiles. They are really beautiful," Liu said.

Liang's mother supports her daughter's innovative approach.

"Innovation helps Guangdong Embroidery move further and attracts more customers. Combining her design major with embroidery integrates traditional stitch and modern design and will open up new opportunities," said Liu Xiuling, Liang's mother and a Guangdong Embroidery artist.

Liang has also popularized Guangdong Embroidery at schools.

"We can try more, like cultural and creative products. It is important. It is possible that we can find a new way to inherit the embroidery," Liu added.