绣郎的作品惊艳世界 Man stitches his own path to success

Zhang Xue embroiders in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Aug 1, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

Weighing an offer from a foreign university to enroll in a graduation course(课程) and a career(职业) in embroidery(刺绣), Zhang Xue(张雪) chose the latter in Suzhou(苏州), his hometown.

A used draft(草稿) hangs on the wall at Zhang's workshop in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Aug 2, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

Though it is not his first time to pick up needles(针) as he helped his mother sew(缝) when he was a child, Zhang's decision initially raised eyebrows, but his success proved him right.

Zhang Xue and his mother try to get some inspiration at a museum in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Aug 2, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

Zhang's embroidery has gone beyond the craftsmanship(技艺) itself, as he decided to combine(结合) the traditional skill(传统技艺) with modern elements(现代元素) to promote it among young people. 

Zhang Xue and his mother work at his workshop in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Aug 2, 2018. [Photo/VCG]

Zhang, who is 30, and his mother, who is also enthusiastic about stitch work, often visit museums(博物馆) to get inspiration(灵感). One of Zhang's pieces called Galaxy, which incorporates more than 20 embroidery methods(方法), has been displayed overseas.

Certificates(证书) and medals(奖章) of Zhang's mother and works by Zhang Xue and his mother are on display. [Photo/VCG]

Now, more people at home and abroad(国内外) are keen to buy(购买) Zhang's works(作品), and in order to make his embroidery pieces available to more people in an easy way, Zhang opened an online shop on e-commerce platform Taobao(淘宝), where customers(顾客) can also buy raw materials(原材料) to do embroidery themselves.

One of Zhang's works — Galaxy. [Photo/VCG]

词汇 Words:

[kè chéng] 课程 course
[zhí yè] 职业 career
[cì xiù] 刺绣 embroidery
[jì yì] 技艺 craftsmanship
[yuán sù] 元素 element
[fāng fǎ] 方法 method
[zuò pǐn] 作品 works
[gù kè] 顾客 customer
[yuán cáiliào] 原材料 raw material
[zhēn] 针 needle
[féng] 缝 sew
[gòu mǎi] 购买 buy

重点词汇 Key word:

绣

• <动词 v.> embroider
  E.g. Tā zhèngzài xiù yī duǒ huā。
  他正在绣一朵花。
  He is embroidering a flower.

• <名词 n.> embroidery
  E.g. Sūxiù shì Zhōngguó sì dà míngxiù zhī yī。
  苏绣是中国四大名绣之一。
  Suzhou embroidery is one of China's four famous embroidery styles.