GUANGZHOU: Lu Liuqing may not be the best folk artist of the century-old Cantonese embroidery, but her works featuring mascots of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games have earned special admiration.

"As a local folk artist, I made the unique embroidery work to show my support for the games," Lu said.

Recently, the 63-year-old artist presented a set of embroidery works to the organizing committee of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

"As the Games is expected to attract many people from around Asia, it will be a golden opportunity to introduce the local embroidery works to a wider audience," she added.

Cantonese Embroidery is one of the highlights of native culture in South China, or Lingnan, and one of the four schools of embroidery in the nation.

"However, with the country's rapid modernization, the special craft may go into oblivion," she said.

The folk artist said she would make people aware of the rich tradition of Cantonese Embroidery and promote public interests in the art form.

"By incorporating modern elements into an art that has traditionally featured ancient motifs like the dragon and phoenix, Cantonese Embroidery will be revitalized," she said.

Born in Huangpu district of Guangzhou in 1945, Lu has been working in this special folk art since her childhood.

Her experience in Suzhou has given her the opportunity to learn Jiangsu Embroidery, one of the four most famous styles of embroidery, she said.

During over 50 years of practicing the craft, Lu has worked at the Huangpu Embroidery Association, the Guangzhou Arts and Crafts Institute, Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute and Guangzhou Yihua Technology as her studios.

To better revitalize the folk art, the artist has planned to set up a private research studio in Huangpu district, according to Xiao Wei'e, Lu's daughter-in-law.

"Local authorities in the cultural affairs department have shown much interest in the establishment of the research center. And we are talking about investment now," Xiao said.

(HK Edition 08/04/2008 page1)