Today we got to travel with our boss, Athena, her husband, Thomas and their daughter, Angel, to Athena’s home town of XueJia which is on the outskirts of the XinBei district of Changzhou. We have been fortunate to have been adopted by Athena and her family while in Changzhou. They have made us feel at “home” in China. Part of our day with this great family was spent touring this building which is representative of “Old China,” a building that was moved from the centre of Changzhou to this village and placed in the central park there. Both Thomas and Athena had so much to tell us about their youth when they saw various things in the museum parts of the structure.
Across the road from the park was a large building dedicated to arts and crafts which we visited. Most of the crafts were based on Shang style embroidery, a style that gives embroidery a look similar to oil painting. Some of the portraits done looked as though they could have been photographs, they were so realistic. And the landscapes, especially those that made me think of scenes from Suzhou, definitely had the appearance that reminded you of an oil painting.
One of my favourite pieces was this eagle’s head which was mounted on a rotating frame of cherry wood.
As well as embroidery, we got to see artisans at work doing bamboo carving likely the most difficult of all art forms as the slightest slip of the hand will ruin a complete work of art.
Once we finished touring the artisans shops we then went out for lunch with Athena’s brother and his family. It was a morning and afternoon well spent with friends.
Just a reminder, to get a better look at these images, just click on them and you will get to see them in a larger format. Enjoy.
Athena took the photo for you ,the one you are ready for the lunch.It’s great that you are invited to their hometown.You see ,this confirm again that you two are so popular with us,with people in China,in CIT.
Hi Samson. You are right, Athena took the photo. How are your PhD studies going in Dalian? When will you get back to Changzhou? Hopefully we will see you before we take our winter holiday.
Samson we miss having you here in Changzhou. Hope your studies are going good.