The Guangzhou Embroidery Shawl Inheritance and Innovation Exhibition kicked off on March 6 at the Lingnan Club Cultural Exhibition Hall on Ersha Island, Guangzhou. The exhibition will last until April 6, 2024. A total of 31 pieces of shawls from 1840 to the present are on display, including a batch of antique shawls produced in the 19th century and exported from Guangzhou to Europe.

Starting with "Manila Shawl", this exhibition vividly tells the past and present development of Cantonese embroidery by showing its history of export to Europe, its current development in Europe, and its application in daily life.

Cantonese embroidery is a form of embroidery folk art in the Pearl River Delta region, with a history of more than 1,000 years. It is an important part of Yue embroidery (Guangdong embroidery), one of the well-known four embroideries in China. In 2006, it was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage by China.

Besides being widely used in the daily life of Cantonese people, Cantonese embroidery also has a long history of export and is very popular among Westerners. Shawl is one of the practical categories of embroidery works, which combines traditional features such as bright colors, rich and complex patterns with western painting techniques and aesthetic elements. 

Around 250 years ago, Cantonese embroidery shawls were exported to overseas markets, known as the "Chinese shawl" or "Manila Shawl" in the West. Nowadays, these items are still exported in large quantities to Southern Europe.

Time: 9:30-17:00, March 6 to April 6, 2024 (Closed on Mondays)

Venue: 2nd to 5th floor, Lingnan Club Cultural Exhibition Hall (岭南会展览馆2-5层展厅)

Add.: No. 13 Qingbo Road, Ersha Island, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou (广州市越秀区二沙岛晴波路13号)