Inheritors Of Qin Embroidery Of Two Generations: Let The Ancient Skills Bloom In The Protection And Inheritance

"Under my mother's enlightenment, I began to contact Qin embroidery very early, and naturally fell in love with this ancient art, hoping to let more people discover the beauty of Qin embroidery through my works." Cui Meng, a master of arts and crafts in Shaanxi Province, said that he and his mother had made innovations on the basis of inheriting basic techniques, although their styles were different, However, the original intention is to constantly innovate in the process of protection and inheritance, so that the ancient intangible cultural heritage technology will continue to radiate new vitality.

As a folk embroidery art with Shaanxi regional characteristics, Qin embroidery originated from the ancient Nasha embroidery and is famous for its unique stitch, rich patterns and bright colors. It uses real silk thread to stitch on the gauze according to the longitude and latitude, and shows the diversity of patterns and the beauty of silk through the change of stitch. Qin Embroidery emphasizes the dominant design of stitches, and uses color block surface contrast to present a gorgeous and exquisite style.

Cui Meng embroiders Qin embroidery works. Photograph provided by respondents

Cui Meng, the inheritor of Shaanxi provincial intangible cultural heritage project Qin embroidery and the fifth generation inheritor of Yaozhou embroidery, grew up in the embroidery factory and embroidery class founded by her mother when she was young. Influenced by her surroundings, she showed her talent in embroidery as early as she was seven or eight years old, and was able to complete simple embroidery works independently.

"What my mother taught me is not only to improve my skills, but also to respect and protect intangible cultural heritage." Cui Meng said frankly that her mother Zhao Chun's enlightenment and teaching were indispensable when talking about her inheritance of intangible cultural heritage. My mother's understanding of intangible cultural heritage has persisted for decades, and has taught her how to be a good inheritor of intangible cultural heritage.

Cui Meng's works were exhibited. Photograph provided by respondents

At the same time of exquisite techniques and inheritance of skills, the work styles of mother and daughter are different. In terms of color matching, Zhao Chun pays attention to the presentation of natural colors, giving people a fresh, simple, elegant, calm and implicit feeling. Cui Meng's works use more bold colors, focusing on contrast and change, and most of the colors are bright. In terms of theme selection, Zhao Chun's works have a relatively wide range of themes, including flowers, birds, fish, insects, landscape characters, etc., with a strong local flavor, while Cui Meng's works focus more on the excavation of historical and cultural themes and local cultural elements. In particular, Cui Meng's experience of studying in Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts made her incorporate the characteristics of fine brushwork into her composition and techniques, forming a unique artistic expression of her own style.

"When I was creating Qin embroidery works, I found that there were few people who used the techniques of Luo embroidery. How to better present the techniques of Luo embroidery has always been my biggest problem." Facing this situation, Cui Meng, with her love and mission for Qin embroidery, continued to explore and practice. She not only innovated in needlework and color, but also tried to combine embroidery with local culture, integrating Shaanxi's natural scenery, historical figures and cultural symbols into her works, giving new life to the tradition.

The "Rebirth" series with Terracotta Warriors as the main creative body is an attempt. Cui Meng said that by restoring the colors of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses when they were unearthed, he hopes to let the Terracotta Warriors come into the public's view in the form of embroidery, so that more people can understand the charm of Qin embroidery, which is a "rebirth" for both Qin embroidery and the Terracotta Warriors.

"After completing a series of works, I fell into a new thinking about how to let more people pay attention to Qin embroidery?" Cui Meng tried to apply Qin embroidery skills to the design of masks, bracelets, clothing and other daily necessities, and let Qin embroidery enter public life through cross-border cooperation and other forms.

Zhao Chun instructed Cui Meng to embroider works. Photograph provided by respondents

In addition to focusing on self-improvement and work creation, both mother and daughter have set up free embroidery training classes, and often participate in activities such as intangible cultural heritage in rural areas, communities, and schools, sparing no effort to promote the inheritance and development of intangible cultural heritage.

"The inheritance of intangible cultural heritage should not be limited by the door. We hope that more people will participate in the dissemination and inheritance of Qin embroidery, and of course, we hope to find more talents." Cui Meng told reporters that although her mother was old and her creation slowed down, she was more diligent in cultivating Qin embroidery talents. Understanding her mother's "painstaking efforts" also made Cui Meng more determined in her choice.

How to make the ancient skills bloom in the process of protection and inheritance is the same "topic" faced by both mother and daughter, and sticking to their original intention in the continuous exploration is the same choice for both.

"Innovation cannot be water without a source or a tree without roots. The premise of intangible cultural heritage innovation is to protect its core." Zhao Chun said that she very supports her daughter's exploration and innovation, just as her mother supported her in those years, but at the same time, she will tell her daughter to protect the "soul" of Qin Embroidery, as her mother constantly warned her, Let the ancient art of Qin embroidery be better inherited. (By Alina Xiao Wenrui)

(Source: China News Network)