Jiao ZHOU is a faculty member in the Fashion Department at the School of Design, Nanjing University of the Arts. She has long been engaged in design education and research in the field of cultural and creative industries, with a focus on the teaching and practice of embroidery art, patchwork art, hand-dyeing, and fiber art. Over the years, she has been dedicated to the study and creation of embroidery and other fiber arts, with her works frequently selected for exhibitions and competitions both in China and internationally, earning her significant awards and recognition.

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During her university years, she had the privilege of studying under Huang Peizhong, a national master of arts and crafts, and Wang Jianhua, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of colored brocade embroidery. This experience sparked her deep passion for the art of embroidery. Countless days have been spent by the floor-to-ceiling window in her studio, stitching under the sunlight that warms her and illuminates her work—nothing could be more comforting. Embroidery has profoundly soothed and healed her spirit. As she immersed herself in this practice, she began to reflect on the future of embroidery, the relationship between craftsmanship and daily life, and the intersection of traditional handcraft and contemporary design. She constantly explores the artistic possibilities brought by different themes, techniques, and materials.

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In recent years, her embroidery practice has taken on two main directions. On one hand, she delves into the intrinsic properties of materials, studying various threads to allow the materials themselves to speak and express, thereby blurring the lines between technique and art. On the other hand, in response to the rapid development of artificial intelligence and ever-evolving technologies, she has begun to explore digital embroidery. Through contemporary aesthetics and innovative approaches, she aims to integrate embroidery more deeply into everyday life.