Overview
Betty Watson's twenty-year passion for the ancient skill of traditional Japanese embroidery is presented in her solo exhibition at National Trust of Guernsey's Art at The Park, Saumarez Park, Guernsey GY5 7UJ from 24th September to 25th October 2024.
"Japanese embroidery is a continuation of a thousand-year-old tradition that first began in China then spread to Japan and more recently to other countries around the world.
In 1965 the late Master Iwao Saito recognized the need to preserve the tradition of Japanese embroidery and founded Kurenai-Kai community in Togano City. Its aim was to pass on both the techniques and the spirit of this traditional embroidery.
Japanese embroidery involves the mastery of 46 techniques and all students are introduced to these through a series of 10 phases. I have attended courses held by accredited traditional Japanese embroidery tutors in England and France working through the 10 phases which I achieved within 5 years, culminating in a graduation certificate in the UK.
This has been my passion for over 20 years." - Betty Watson