Fu Jian's Embroidery

Embroidery (刺绣) was often regarded as “women’s work” in the past. And it was not common for a boy to learn it. Therefore, Fu Jian’s parents didn’t want him to work in this industry at first. But Fu didn’t care. He believed he could do it well.

Fu was born into an embroidery family in Yangzhou. His mother is a master craftswoman of Suzhou embroidery. Fu fell in love with this beautiful art when he was four years old. In his last year of high school, Fu set his life goal clearly. “Although many people know about this traditional art, I want to help them learn more about it,” he said.

After graduating from college, Fu and his mother built a research center of Suzhou embroidery. Since then, he has invented many new stitches (针法). He has also trained many workers.

Fu spends a lot of time on his works. Even so, he enjoys it. “I often work late into midnight, but I never feel tired. I think that’s because I’m doing what I love,” said the 37-year-old.

Most recently, the artist “created” a piece of bronze ware (青铜器皿) on cloth. What gave him the idea to create this work? “Many bronzes can only be seen in museums. A work of embroidery, however, can be hung in one’s home or office. People can see it at any time,” said Fu.