Chan Shaofang, First glimmer of dawn, 1982, 224 × 155 cm
Chan Shaofang’s work is typified as the Chan style Cantonese embroidery as she applied the techniques of oil painting, photography and sculpture into her work to break the old rules. (Museum of Yuexiu District, 2010) In this work, what embroidered is a peacock surrounded by lily dances in the early morning. Different skills are applied, including artist's own invention. Niu Hua Si (扭花絲) is a traditional technique that twists threads with different colors into one. (Guangdong Folk Arts Museum, 2014) This technique is shown in the tail of peacock. When we look at the tail at different angles, different colors will be appeared. To make some difference, the artist reverses the use of color in the wing. Armpit of the peacock is lightened, while upper part of the wing is darkened to express the moment when the sun is rising. (Guangzhou Mingren Wang, 2011) While atmospheric perspective in Western painting is also used, so that forest at the back is shown in blue and purple color, misty and small in size.