Latest News_Yao Silk

Yao Jianping Elected Vice Chairman of the 11th Council of the China Folk Literature and Art Association

Date: June 17–18, 2026 (concluded on June 18)

Location: Beijing, China

Event: The 11th National Congress of the China Folk Literature and Art Association was held in Beijing. Delegates reviewed and approved the work report, revised the Charter of the China Folk Literature and Art Association, and elected the new leadership body. Hang Jian was elected Chairman of the 11th Council, while Yao Jianping and 13 other representatives were elected Vice Chairmen.

Highlights: Master Yao Jianping’s election as Vice Chairman of the 11th Council of the China Folk Literature and Art Association represents strong recognition of her outstanding achievements in Suzhou embroidery art, as well as her long-standing contributions to the preservation, innovation, and global promotion of intangible cultural heritage.

Yao Jianping Appointed as Trustee of Nanjing University

Date: May 23, 2026

Location: Nanjing University Suzhou Campus, Suzhou, China

Event: The 7th Board of Trustees Transition Ceremony and the First Meeting of the 7th Board of Trustees of Nanjing University was held, with the attendance of Tan Tieniu, Tan Zhemin, and Huang Aijun, and chaired by Suo Wenbin. A total of 110 representatives from various sectors were appointed as members of the new Board of Trustees.

Yao Jianping, National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Bearer of Suzhou Embroidery and founder of Yao Silk, was officially appointed as a trustee of the 7th Board of Trustees of Nanjing University. During the meeting, she shared insights on the integration of traditional craftsmanship and modern education from the perspective of cultural heritage preservation, offering new approaches for cultural education at Nanjing University.

Highlights: Yao Jianping’s appointment as a university trustee represents not only recognition of her outstanding artistic achievements, but also marks a new exploration into the integration and development of traditional craftsmanship within higher education. It reflects the evolving role of intangible cultural heritage in contemporary education and cultural innovation.

Yao Silk Showcased at APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting, Receiving High Recognition for Suzhou Embroidery Craftsmanship

Date: May 22–23, 2026

Location: Suzhou Jinji Lake International Convention Center, Suzhou, China

Event: Yao Silk was invited to showcase its works at the APEC Trade Ministers’ Meeting, presenting more than 20 exquisite Suzhou embroidery masterpieces. During the event, ambassadors, ministers, and government officials from multiple countries visited the exhibition booth, experienced the artistry of Suzhou embroidery firsthand, and expressed high appreciation for the craftsmanship and artistic value of the works. The Minister of Brunei extended an invitation for Yao Silk to participate in cultural exchange activities in Brunei.

Highlights: Suzhou embroidery became an important cultural showcase at the APEC meeting, receiving recognition from international dignitaries and formal invitations for future cultural exchange. The event highlighted the diplomatic value and global influence of intangible cultural heritage, demonstrating how traditional Chinese craftsmanship can serve as a bridge for international dialogue and mutual understanding.

Suzhou Embroidery Artwork Five Pairs of Eyes Featured at the Venice International Art Exhibition

Date: May 9 – November 22, 2026

Location: First Floor Exhibition Hall, Palazzo Mora, Venice, Italy

Event: At the 8th International Art Exhibition Personal Structures: Intersections, the multimedia contemporary art piece Five Pairs of Eyes, co-created by contemporary artist Qiu Zhijie and Suzhou embroidery artist Yao Jianping, was officially presented. Bringing together 175 artists from more than 40 countries, the exhibition explores diverse perspectives on contemporary art. Through the integration of Suzhou embroidery and multimedia expression, the artwork responds to the theme of “Intersections,” examining identity, cultural dialogue, and cross-cultural encounters, and has attracted widespread attention.

Highlights: As a cross-disciplinary collaboration between Yao Jianping, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative Bearer of Suzhou Embroidery, and contemporary artist Qiu Zhijie, the work demonstrates the innovative vitality of Suzhou embroidery within the context of contemporary art. It highlights the enduring artistic potential of Chinese intangible cultural heritage — its ability to engage in cross-disciplinary dialogue, transcend cultural boundaries, and continuously evolve through new expressions.

Yao Jianping’s Suzhou Embroidery Works Featured in Italy Special Exhibition, Honored for Outstanding Contribution to China–Italy Cultural Exchange

Date: October 24, 2025

Locations: China Media Group (CMG), Beijing, China; Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Italy

Event: Suzhou embroidery artist Yao Jianping received the “Outstanding Contribution Award for China–Italy Cultural and Humanistic Exchange” at the “From Beijing to Rome” honorary ceremony. During the same period, her Suzhou embroidery artworks Madonna and Child (Suzhou Embroidery) and Flower Basket (Suzhou Embroidery) were showcased at a special exhibition in Italy, becoming highlights of cultural exchange between China and Italy.

Highlights: The event celebrated the 55th anniversary of the establishment of China–Italy diplomatic relations and welcomed the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games, highlighting the role of Suzhou embroidery as a cultural bridge that promotes mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.

Yao Silk Returns to Maison&Objet Paris with Global Debut of New Works

Date: January 15–19, 2026

Location: Maison&Objet (M&O), Paris, France

Event: Yao Silk was once again invited to participate in Maison&Objet Paris, becoming the only Chinese brand featured in the Craft sector at this year’s exhibition. During the fair, Yao Silk made the global debut of two original Suzhou embroidery screens, created under the artistic direction of Master Yao Jianping. Deeply aligned with the exhibition theme “Past Reveals the Future,” the works showcased the infinite possibilities created through the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Highlights: With years of dedication to original design development and exceptional craftsmanship, Yao Silk has established a strong presence on the international stage of top-tier design. Guided by the philosophy of “Embroidery Evolving with the Times,” Yao Silk demonstrates how intangible cultural heritage can achieve contemporary transformation and global communication through preserving tradition while embracing innovation. The brand has become an important bridge for cross-cultural design exchange, connecting Eastern craftsmanship with the global design community.

Yao Silk Shines at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Headquarters

Date:

July 8, 2025

Location:

World Intellectual Property Organization Headquarters, Geneva, Switzerland

Event:

At the themed exhibition “Protecting Innovation, Building the Future—Copyright in China,” Yao Zhuo, a young inheritor of Suzhou embroidery, presented the stitch-technique edition of Ladies Playing Cuju along with a selection of Yao Silk Suzhou embroidery works, accompanied by live demonstrations of Suzhou embroidery techniques. The original embroidered watch collection became a focal point of the exhibition. Featuring Swiss-made movements and curved sapphire crystal, the watches integrate the beauty of Suzhou embroidery into contemporary life and were praised by international visitors as “wearable works of art.”

Highlights:

The original Ladies Playing Cuju was created by Yao Jianping and was presented as a state gift to the International Olympic Committee in 2017; it is now housed at the Olympic Museum in Switzerland. The Yao Silk watch series has completed intellectual property registration, exemplifying the principle of “promoting cultural heritage through copyright protection.”

Yao Silk Weaves Sino–Italian “Shared Beauty,” Debuts at Italian Art Special Exhibition

Date:

June 25 – July 9, 2025

Location:

Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, Rome, Italy

Event:

At “Light and Shadow in Harmony, Shared Beauty”—a special art exhibition celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy—Yao Silk presented the works Flower Basket and Madonna and Child. Flower Basket, inspired by the traditional Chinese flower basket, employs multiple embroidery techniques to convey the vivid vitality of blossoms. Madonna and Child integrates Western religious subject matter with Suzhou embroidery, combining the dimensionality of oil painting with the gentle elegance of Suzhou needlework. Italian audiences exclaimed “So beautiful!” in Chinese and shared photos widely.

Background:

The exhibition was co-organized by China Media Group in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture and other partners, with Professor Chang Shana of the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University, serving as Honorary Chief Consultant.

Yao Silk Makes Its First Appearance in Belgium, Striking the Opening Notes of Grand Canal Culture

Date:

June 25 – July 9, 2025

Location:

Mont des Arts and Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium

Event:

During the pre-launch pop-up events for “Encountering Civilizations: China Grand Canal Culture · Jiangsu Week,” Yao Yuehua, a young inheritor of Suzhou embroidery, presented live demonstrations of floral and bird motifs, drawing visitors from multiple countries to stop, watch, and inquire. During the main program, Yao Silk represented Grand Canal culture, expressing Eastern aesthetics through needle and thread. Spanish visitors shared their travel experiences in China and praised the strong reception of Chinese culture in Europe.

Background:

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. The main program featured thematic exhibitions such as “Millennia-Old Canal, Watery Jiangsu.”

Yao Silk Crosses Over into the EDC Electronic Music Festival, Creating a “Tens of Thousands Embroider Together” Cultural Celebration

Date:

March 22–23, 2025

Location:

Yangcheng Lake Peninsula Tourist Resort, Suzhou

Event:

As an intangible cultural heritage partner at the 2025 EDC Daisy Carnival, Yao Silk unveiled the themed Suzhou embroidery work EDC China 2025, blending the elegance of Suzhou embroidery with the energy of electronic music. The on-site activity “Tens of Thousands Embroider Together at EDC” invited music fans to stitch under the guidance of three professional embroiderers. International attendees marveled that “the highest level of clubbing is the harmony of movement and stillness.”

Scale:

The festival brought together 76 artist acts (82% international), with an average of 12 hours of performances per day. Songs such as Do It To It sparked massive crowd sing-alongs.