Thread on Canvas

Weaving has been a part of my family’s legacy, though traditional techniques have faded due to industrialization. Through my art, I strive to restore this tradition, using cotton thread as my primary medium to explore contemporary themes while connecting with my heritage. I reinterpret the textures, shapes, and colours of traditional weaving, transforming them into three-dimensional layers on canvas. Light brings an additional layer, altering the work’s appearance as it shifts.

 

While my heritage has guided me, I aim to push beyond it—honouring the past while exploring new creative directions. Extending thread across the canvas, I break free from traditional patterns, expanding my work beyond cultural boundaries.

 

The immigrant experience is challenging—homesickness, uncertainty, and isolation are constant companions. Yet, I’ve found ways to balance both cultures, letting my emotions guide my artistic process. Pins and threads create intricate connections, blurring the boundaries between tradition and modernity, mirroring the complexities of my identity.

 

Both Canadian and Chinese cultures now profoundly shape my work and worldview. As I move between these cultural realms, my vision expands, allowing me to see the world from multiple perspectives. My identity weaves through each piece, layer by layer, reflecting the fusion of my two homes—Great Vancouver and Suzhou.

 

As I reflect upon my work, I see parallels between creating art and living life. Both are layering processes, shaped by each experience, challenge, and discovery. My identity as a Chinese-Canadian is woven into this tapestry, and my art serves as a living testament to the rich interplay of cultures that define me.