A visual spectacle

One is often fascinated by handcrafts that immediately indicate there is more to them than meets the eye.

One such craft is embroidery, an art form that has been practised in China for hundreds of years.

It is difficult to say when embroidery was first practised in China. Archaeological excavations of a number of tombs indicate that the craft dates back to the early Han dynasty, which was based near Lake Baikal in the early second century BC.

Practised all over the country, China's most famous embroidery works come from Suzhou, Hunan, Sichuan and Guangdong.

Embroidery reflects the distinct characteristics of the locality where it is created. It features exquisite craftsmanship, fine execution and a mesmerising aesthetic appeal.

Suzhou embroidery is crafted in areas centered on Suzhou, Jiangsu Province. It is noted for its beautiful patterns, sauve colours, a variety of stitches and excellent craftsmanship. Stitching is meticulous while the coloration is subtle and refined.

Hunan embroidery comes from areas around Changsha, capital of Hunan Province. It is distinguished by its starkly elegant black, white and gray colouration. The emphasis is on contrasts of light and shade that highlight the patterned texture to bring out a three-dimensional effect.

The successful creation of a work of embroidery pivots on stitching methods and colouration. These factors are decisive when applying distinct embroidery techniques to the depiction of figures, objects, animals, backdrops, landscapes and ornaments.

On display at the China Cultural Centre in Valletta are a series of embroidered works, including articles in daily use from Suzhou and Hunan. The techniques and artistic accomplishments of these works reflect the pinacle of modern Chinese embroidery.