SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shirley Zhou's Unconfined Embroidery International Exhibition which organized by Shanghai Genarts Culture Media Co., Ltd. holds its official opening at ION Art Gallery, Singapore, running from November 6 to 10.
Curated and presented by Ms. Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China's intangible cultural heritage embroidery art, the exhibition showcases over 50 artworks that bridge Eastern and Western aesthetics. Centered on the theme "Threads of Harmony: Cultural Symbiosis," it invites audiences into a dialogue on cultural fusion and artistic innovation through the language of needle and thread.
Bridging East and West — Building Cultural Symbiosis Through Embroidery
"Threads of Harmony" is not merely an exhibition—it embodies Shirley Zhou's artistic philosophy. Her works merge the subtlety of Eastern embroidery arts with Western compositional structure, breathing new life into traditional embroidery.
Mr. Zhou Nan, President of the Shanghai Arts and Crafts Association, noted that Shirley Zhou's artistic journey reflects the spirit of innovation among a new generation of cultural inheritors.
The representative figures in Singapore's art community and audience remarked that Shirley Zhou's artistic creations use silk threads as a bridge between tradition and technology, infusing contemporary vitality into heritage art while enriching Singapore's cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
Special Tribute: celebrate Singapore's 60th Anniversary
In celebration of Singapore's 60th anniversary of independence in 2025, Shirley Zhou's created a special tribute piece — a portrait of former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, rendered through four distinct embroidery techniques: realism, abstraction, sketch, and line drawing.
This artwork embodies the artist's admiration for Singapore's multicultural spirit, resilience, and openness — a reflection of mutual respect and cultural resonance between China and Singapore.
A Poetic Dialogue in Threads
Two lotus-themed pieces, combining oil-painting vibrancy with the poetic restraint of ink wash, drew particular attention. Through thousands of meticulous stitches, Shirley Zhou recreates the richness of oil tones and the ethereal balance of Chinese ink. The first piece "Water Lilies" showcases the essence of oil painting through embroidery. With crisp and lively needlework, vibrant colors, and seemingly unrestrained yet meticulously executed stitches, the passionate texture of oil painting blossoms on the embroidered canvas. The second piece " The Charm of Lotus" captures the soul of ink wash painting. The blending of ink flows like clouds and water, in fact, conceals dozens of subtle gradations of black, gray, and white. the embroidery weaves a 'richly colorful ink palette,' revealing depth within elegance and boundless meaning within simplicity.
Artist-led Tours and Cultural Exchange
During the exhibition, Shirley Zhou personally conducted guided tours for visitors, explaining her techniques, inspirations, and stories behind each piece. These exchanges deepened the audience's understanding of modern embroidery as both a cultural legacy and a contemporary art form.
Shirley Zhou's attributes her creative liberation to the dynamic interplay between Eastern and Western cultures. This fusion has empowered her to transcend conventional boundaries and develop a uniquely unconfined artistic voice.
From Singapore to the World
"Threads of Harmony" marks not only an exhibition but the beginning of a broader cultural journey. Through her needle and thread, Shirley Zhou echoes Singapore's spirit of openness and innovation.
In the future, Zhou' art will continue to reach out to the world. With an open mind, it will engage in the preservation and promotion of global intangible cultural heritage, allowing Eastern embroidery to shine on the international stage—transcending cultures and connecting souls.
Exhibition Dates: 10:00-22:00 Nov 6-11, 2025
Venue: ION Art Gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801
Theme: Threads of Harmony • Cultural Symbiosis
Artist: Shirley Zhou, the fourth-generation inheritor of China's intangible cultural heritage embroidery art
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Threads of Harmony | Shirley Zhou's Unconfined Embroidery International Exhibition Opens in Singapore
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- From red carpet to avant-garde, 1664's Global Brand Ambassador, Robert Pattinson invites the world to examine Good Taste
- New global research from 1664 reveals 83% believe they have good taste, yet only 31% agree on what it actually means - revealing a cultural contradiction at the heart of modern taste.
- Robert Pattinson brings this modern taste debate to life in a cinematic Paris-set film, taking on three contrasting characters
LONDON, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Good taste is one of the most personal and most publicly debated concepts of our time.
New global research from premium French beer brand 1664 reveals a defining contradiction at the heart of modern culture: while a majority believe they have good taste, very few agree on what it actually means.
1664 and Robert Pattinson are turning that cultural tension into a bold statement - Robert embodies the paradox of modern taste in a cinematic short film that explores identity, individuality and the confidence to stand by your own point of view.
From red carpets to independent cinema, Robert Pattinson has long navigated the space between mainstream and avant-garde, making him a natural ambassador for a platform built around the subjectivity and self-expression of Good Taste.
White Paper: A Question of Good Taste
1664's research paper 'A Question of Good Taste', conducted across Asia, Europe and North America, suggests that while people feel strongly about their own taste, there is little agreement on what "good taste" actually means - highlighting a growing cultural tension around identity and self-expression.
- 83% say they have good taste
- 87% say good taste reflects who they are
- Yet only 31% agree on what it actually means
At the same time, the paper reveals a growing hesitation around sharing opinions publicly. With the rise of online debate and "cancel culture", many feel expressing their views can be risky — despite 77% believing society would be better if people were open and honest about what they think.
From music and fashion to art and interiors, taste has become one of the most visible expressions of who we are and that's where the tension lives. Rather than resolve the debate, 1664 invites the world to own every perspective of Good Taste.
Robert Pattinson In Three Acts
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Brady Corbet - director of the Oscar-winning epic The Brutalist (Golden Globe and BAFTA award for Best Director), as well as Vox Lux and The Childhood of a Leader -, the short film sees Robert Pattinson take on three sharply contrasting personas:
- A modern minimalist character
- An avant-garde artist
- An eccentric older 'dandy'
Each is utterly convinced they represent the pinnacle of good taste.
As their worlds collide inside a Parisian apartment building, opinions clash - on music, art, interiors and aesthetics. But amid the debate, one shared truth quietly emerges: 1664 is Unquestionably Good Taste.
Set in Paris, home to the brand's iconic French identity, the film blends cinema with subtle humour and cultural debate - placing Robert at the heart of a wider conversation about individuality and expression.
The film premieres globally on 1 April 2026.
Robert Pattinson says: "What really drew me to 1664 was the refreshing, strong sense of style and humour. I enjoyed playing characters with completely different identities and points of view, each convinced they're right. Taste is such a personal thing - everyone thinks they've cracked it. The fun of the film is watching that certainty unravel and explore how subjective Good Taste really is."
"We're delighted to have explored how Good Taste is one of culture's most debated concepts with Robert Pattinson. What interested us in this process was not whether people agree, but how strongly they hold their own perspective," says Seva Nikolaev, Global Vice-President for Premium Brands at Carlsberg, "1664 isn't here to define taste, but to celebrate the confidence to stand by it. Good taste doesn't need consensus — it demands conviction."
The film and research were unveiled and celebrated with members of the global creative communities of fashion, art, design and culture in London at an exclusive event.
Link to visual assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JdmpKWnHX4L6v819uvmsUriF6VFuGtfb?usp=sharing
About 1664 Blanc
Blue in bottle and iconic in flavour. 1664 Blanc is a light and refreshing premium bière française with a hint of citrus and a delicate touch of spice. Perfect for moments with friends. To find out more, please visit @1664blanc.
*The 1664 Global research combines 16 in-depth interviews with large-scale quantitative survey data across 7 markets [Canada, Germany, Denmark, Vietnam, China, Ukraine, UK].
- From red carpet to avant-garde, 1664's Global Brand Ambassador, Robert Pattinson invites the world to examine Good Taste
- New global research from 1664 reveals 83% believe they have good taste, yet only 31% agree on what it actually means - revealing a cultural contradiction at the heart of modern taste.
- Robert Pattinson brings this modern taste debate to life in a cinematic Paris-set film, taking on three contrasting characters
LONDON, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Good taste is one of the most personal and most publicly debated concepts of our time.
New global research from premium French beer brand 1664 reveals a defining contradiction at the heart of modern culture: while a majority believe they have good taste, very few agree on what it actually means.
1664 and Robert Pattinson are turning that cultural tension into a bold statement - Robert embodies the paradox of modern taste in a cinematic short film that explores identity, individuality and the confidence to stand by your own point of view.
From red carpets to independent cinema, Robert Pattinson has long navigated the space between mainstream and avant-garde, making him a natural ambassador for a platform built around the subjectivity and self-expression of Good Taste.
White Paper: A Question of Good Taste
1664's research paper 'A Question of Good Taste', conducted across Asia, Europe and North America, suggests that while people feel strongly about their own taste, there is little agreement on what "good taste" actually means - highlighting a growing cultural tension around identity and self-expression.
- 83% say they have good taste
- 87% say good taste reflects who they are
- Yet only 31% agree on what it actually means
At the same time, the paper reveals a growing hesitation around sharing opinions publicly. With the rise of online debate and "cancel culture", many feel expressing their views can be risky — despite 77% believing society would be better if people were open and honest about what they think.
From music and fashion to art and interiors, taste has become one of the most visible expressions of who we are and that's where the tension lives. Rather than resolve the debate, 1664 invites the world to own every perspective of Good Taste.
Robert Pattinson In Three Acts
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Brady Corbet - director of the Oscar-winning epic The Brutalist (Golden Globe and BAFTA award for Best Director), as well as Vox Lux and The Childhood of a Leader -, the short film sees Robert Pattinson take on three sharply contrasting personas:
- A modern minimalist character
- An avant-garde artist
- An eccentric older 'dandy'
Each is utterly convinced they represent the pinnacle of good taste.
As their worlds collide inside a Parisian apartment building, opinions clash - on music, art, interiors and aesthetics. But amid the debate, one shared truth quietly emerges: 1664 is Unquestionably Good Taste.
Set in Paris, home to the brand's iconic French identity, the film blends cinema with subtle humour and cultural debate - placing Robert at the heart of a wider conversation about individuality and expression.
The film premieres globally on 1 April 2026.
Robert Pattinson says: "What really drew me to 1664 was the refreshing, strong sense of style and humour. I enjoyed playing characters with completely different identities and points of view, each convinced they're right. Taste is such a personal thing - everyone thinks they've cracked it. The fun of the film is watching that certainty unravel and explore how subjective Good Taste really is."
"We're delighted to have explored how Good Taste is one of culture's most debated concepts with Robert Pattinson. What interested us in this process was not whether people agree, but how strongly they hold their own perspective," says Seva Nikolaev, Global Vice-President for Premium Brands at Carlsberg, "1664 isn't here to define taste, but to celebrate the confidence to stand by it. Good taste doesn't need consensus — it demands conviction."
The film and research were unveiled and celebrated with members of the global creative communities of fashion, art, design and culture in London at an exclusive event.
Link to visual assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JdmpKWnHX4L6v819uvmsUriF6VFuGtfb?usp=sharing
About 1664 Blanc
Blue in bottle and iconic in flavour. 1664 Blanc is a light and refreshing premium bière française with a hint of citrus and a delicate touch of spice. Perfect for moments with friends. To find out more, please visit @1664blanc.
*The 1664 Global research combines 16 in-depth interviews with large-scale quantitative survey data across 7 markets [Canada, Germany, Denmark, Vietnam, China, Ukraine, UK].
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
1664 and Robert Pattinson Turn Good Taste Into the Cultural Debate of the Moment
