American artist Augustina Droze, a long-time resident of Beijing, is soon to showcase her artistic prowess once more by seamlessly blending Western concepts with Eastern art forms. This time, she incorporates embroidery as a symbol of Oriental artistry, further enhancing the cultural richness of her mystical creations.

Her exhibition, Menagerie: A Dreamy Wander in the Garden of Mythical Beasts, is set to open this weekend in the Chinese capital. The term "menagerie" refers to exotic or mythical beasts, while the Chinese title adds an element of Eastern poetry and Zen.

"This is my first series using embroidery. I was inspired by the patterns within my porcelain designs. I noticed that they mimicked designs in some Chinese embroidery applique. I decided to try some small experimental pieces using embroidery and found the experience rewarding, so I have begun incorporating embroidery in some of my large works. Although they are extremely time-consuming, I am happy with the tactile nature of the embroidery mixed with paint," Droze explained to CGTN.

This surrealist exhibition contains nearly 50 of Droze's latest pieces, among which 38 feature some elements of embroidery, inviting visitors to step into her artistic dream, befriend mythical beasts, and coexist with plants and converse with time. "When you enter this 'Garden of Mythical Beasts,' you will discover that this 'dreamy wander' is not only a visual feast of art but also a spiritual journey about love, growth and cultural integration," Droze shared.

With a profound academic background in art, Augustina Droze has earned numerous prestigious accolades, including the title of Distinguished Art Envoy at the US Embassy American Center. Her work has been featured in the esteemed 2026 Atlas of Contemporary Art and displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, as well as at exhibitions in Italy, London and Tokyo.