101-year-old Centenarian Amazed by the Magnificence of Embroidery Exhibition at FGY Art Gallery Christchurch
On 20th May 2021, led by their two service staff, 8 elderlies from Christchurch Burlington Nursing Home visited Fo Guang Yuan (FGY) Art Gallery Christchurch to tour Embroidery Artist Yao Hong-ying’s Magnificence of Embroidery Exhibition. On arrival, they were received by Gallery staff Juin-mei. The visit was arranged by Nursing Home staff member Maria after her friend strongly recommended to her the beautiful and serene environment of Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple South Island. One of the elderlies, Celine Howse, is a 101-year-old centenarian. Celine was elated to participate in this visit and she became, in the history of the Temple, its oldest visitor.
At the Temple, Juin-mei first led the elderlies to the Art Gallery to visit Embroidery Artist Yao Hong-ying’s Magnificence of Embroidery Exhibition. In the course of the tour, Juin-mei described to the visitors Yao’s journey in her artistic life, and pointed out to them the special characteristics of her embroidery works. Yao employed needles instead of painting brushes and silk threads instead of colour inks for her gorgeous and colourful creations. Her works, using special flat stitching, random stitching or double-sided stitching techniques, were very intricate and stunning. After learning that it took two to three years or even longer time to produce each piece of work, the visitors were full of praises for Yao’s dedication and perseverance. Although some of the elderlies needed to move around with Rolling Walkers, they were so attracted by the lifelike embroidery works that they insisted on scrutinising each work closely, deriving pleasure and joy in the meantime.
The 101-year-old Celine Howse said that Yao Hong-ying's embroidery works were the best art works she had ever seen in her life. Although Celine needed to move around with a Roller Walker due to her advanced age, nevertheless, she is humorous and still possesses a clear mind. She often buys magazines and newspapers to read to keep pace with time. Celine fondly shares with people the fact that, on her 100th birthday last year, she had the honour of receiving a birthday-wishing letter from Queen Elizabeth II of England. Celine is indeed very touched by the Queen’s kind gesture.
After their tour of the Exhibition, the visitors adjourned to the Water Drop Café for their afternoon tea. They were full of praises for the delicious delicacies served there. Before leaving, they were overjoyed when FGS South Island presented a lucky blessing bag to each of them. The visitors were very happy about the day’s visit, saying that they hope, in future, to visit the Temple again, and they wish to stay longer so as to have enough time to visit other sections of the Temple, such as the Time Corridor and the Buddha Hall.