Preserving Traditional Bian Embroidery

Bian embroidery, with a history of 800 years, originates from the Northern Song Dynasty. The world-famous folk art is characterized by lucid and lively color and tight needlework.

A student at Wang Suhua's embroidery school works on her piece in Kaifeng, Henan province on May 25, 2010. [chinadaily.com.cn]

In Kaifeng, once the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty, this folk art is well preserved. Wang Suhua, 74, has been devoted to Bian embroidery for 55 years.

Wang Suhua has completed many great embroidery works and has won quite a few awards. But she still wants to do more. In her later years, she set up an embroidery school. Every student can earn about 1,000 yuan per month for their embroidery work.

Students at Wang Suhua’s embroidery school work on their pieces in Kaifeng, Henan province on May 25, 2010. [chinadaily.com.cn]

A student at Wang Suhua’s embroidery school works on her piece in Kaifeng, Henan province on May 25, 2010.[chinadaily.com.cn]

Wang Suhua talks with journalists in Kaifeng, Henan province on May 25, 2010.[chinadaily.com.cn]

A piece of work that Wang’s students are working on in Kaifeng, Henan province on May 25, 2010.[chinadaily.com.cn]

A piece of finished work in an exhibition room at Wang Suhua’s embroidery school.[chinadaily.com.cn]

A few pieces of finished work in an exhibition room at Wang Suhua’s embroidery school. [chinadaily.com.cn]