Professional Experience & International Exchange

Shao Xiaocheng’s professional work includes Chinese embroidery teaching at San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum in 2008 and an article published by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco in 2022. The publications below include books by Shao Xiaocheng and Yao Xiao (Martin Xiao).

Read the individual profiles: Shao Xiaocheng and Yao Xiao (Martin Xiao).

2022 · San Francisco, United States

Museum-published writing on embroidery

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco published Shao Xiaocheng’s article, “Guo Pei’s Embroidered Universe: Stitch by Stitch”, on May 12, 2022. Published in connection with the Legion of Honor exhibition Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy, the article examines stitch structures, materials, and visual language in selected garments.

2008 · San Francisco, United States

Gu Embroidery Workshop at the Asian Art Museum

In August 2008, Shao Xiaocheng taught Chinese embroidery at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, including instruction in its Gu Embroidery Workshop on August 9–10. The programme covered Chinese embroidery history and styles, Gu embroidery, and practical work with stitches and colour arrangements. Read the museum’s programme in a historical web archive.

The workshop accompanied Power and Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty.

AsiaAlive interactive demonstrations

The museum’s AsiaAlive event poster, Gu Embroidery Artists from China, features Shao under the spelling SHAO XIAO-CHENG. It lists demonstrations in the North Court on July 31–August 3 and August 5–10, from noon to 4 pm. The demonstration programme and the two-day Gu Embroidery Workshop were distinct activities within the visit.

Participants gather around an embroidery hoop during a Chinese embroidery teaching session, from the Institute’s 2008 San Francisco archive.
Chinese embroidery teaching at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 2008. Institute archive.
A Chinese embroidery presentation beside displayed works and threads, from the Institute’s 2008 San Francisco archive.
Chinese embroidery presentation during the 2008 museum visit. Institute archive.
AsiaAlive poster titled Gu Embroidery Artists from China, showing Shao Xiao-Cheng’s photograph, biography and demonstration schedule.
AsiaAlive event poster, “Gu Embroidery Artists from China,” featuring Shao Xiao-Cheng. Asian Art Museum, San Francisco, 2008.
Participants handling red fabric and embroidery materials around a table in a 2008 San Francisco archive photograph.
Hands-on embroidery activity in the Institute’s 2008 San Francisco image archive.
Visitors gathered around an embroidery hoop and textile work in a 2008 San Francisco archive photograph.
Visitors looking closely at an embroidery hoop in the Institute’s 2008 San Francisco image archive.

Selected publications

Chinese Embroidery: An Illustrated Stitch Guide

Text by Shao Xiaocheng; Works by Shao Xiaocheng and Xiao Yao. Read about the book.

Cover of Chinese Embroidery: An Illustrated Stitch Guide, featuring embroidered koi, flowers, birds and beadwork.
Chinese Embroidery: An Illustrated Stitch Guide. Text by Shao Xiaocheng; Works by Shao Xiaocheng and Xiao Yao.

Xing Embroidery

By Shao Xiaocheng. Read the publication record.

Cover of Xing Embroidery by Shao Xiaocheng.
Xing Embroidery, by Shao Xiaocheng.

2022 · Chinese embroidery stitch reference

Illustrated Compendium of Classic Chinese Embroidery Stitches: Learning Embroidery with a Master (Chinese title translated), by Shao Xiaocheng and Yao Xiao, was published by Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers on September 30, 2022. The book is organised around classic stitch structures, examples of folk embroidery, and drawn patterns. View the publisher record.

2012 · Embroidery and kesi bibliography

Google Books lists Appreciation and Investment in Chinese Embroidery and Kesi through the Dynasties (Chinese title translated) under Yao Xiao, with Anhui Fine Arts Publishing House, 2012. Original titles, ISBNs and full publication details are retained in the publication record. View the bibliographic record.

Selected Institute Works

Historical reproduction and shared embroidery work.

Chinese Embroidery Institute reproduction of Embroidered Parrot among Plum and Bamboo.
Chinese Embroidery Institute reproduction of Embroidered Parrot among Plum and Bamboo.
Jinxiu Nianhua, an embroidery work credited to Shao Xiaocheng and Xiao Yao.
Jinxiu Nianhua, embroidery work credited to Shao Xiaocheng and Xiao Yao, 2018.

Read Shao Xiaocheng’s research and exhibition record

Japanese Embroidered Folding Screen

Examination and conservation treatment

The Institute independently carried out the examination and conservation treatment of a privately held Japanese embroidered folding screen, including stabilization work.

Contemporary report

A 2012 report in 收藏投资导刊, by Bi Wuying, described the screen and recorded selected reconstruction and material decisions made during the project.

Shao Xiaocheng

The report describes Shao Xiaocheng’s reconstruction of the missing head of a fishing figure from surviving visual evidence and her selection of substitute materials for damaged details.

Yao Xiao

The original caption of a project photograph in the Institute archive records Yao Xiao carrying out restoration work on the screen’s painting and calligraphy components.

IOV Gatherings in 2012

Prague, Czech Republic

The IOV gathering archive records the eighth World General Assembly in Prague from 26 to 30 April 2012. Read the IOV archive record and assembly minutes.

Shao Xiaocheng attended the IOV World General Assembly in Prague in April 2012.

Yao Xiao attended the IOV World General Assembly in Prague in April 2012.

Shao Xiaocheng among IOV-badged attendees in the conference hall in Prague, April 2012.
Shao Xiaocheng at the IOV World General Assembly in Prague, April 2012.
Yao Xiao and another IOV-badged attendee examining a printed document in Prague, April 2012.
Yao Xiao at the IOV World General Assembly in Prague, April 2012.
Shao Xiaocheng and Yao Xiao wearing readable IOV name badges outdoors in Prague, April 2012.
Shao Xiaocheng and Yao Xiao wearing IOV name badges in Prague, April 2012.

Sweden

The IOV gathering archive records the 2012 World Youth Congress on Tjörn, Sweden, as a week of craft, exchange and youth networks. Read the IOV archive record.

In June 2012, Yao Xiao attended the IOV World Youth Congress in Sweden. During the congress, he took part in a practice-centred craft exchange.

Yao Xiao at a hands-on craft-exchange setting during the IOV World Youth Congress in Sweden, June 2012.
Yao Xiao taking part in a practice-centred craft exchange at the IOV World Youth Congress, Sweden, June 2012.
Yao Xiao in a craft-exchange environment during the IOV World Youth Congress in Sweden, June 2012.
Craft exchange at the IOV World Youth Congress, Sweden, June 2012.