Yiling Wu

YILING WU

YILING WU COMBINES traditional embroidery WITH modern techniques, EXPLORING FREEDOM FROM stereotypes. HER ART CHALLENGES PERCEPTIONS, INVITING VIEWERS INTO A WORLD WHERE EMBROIDERY LIVES FREELY.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I make embroidery artworks which showcase the beauty of embroidery itself. I always want to showcase that embroidery could also become the main character of artwork, embroidery does not always need to be part of fabric. Also, with the water soluble method, I will be able to turn embroidery into a uncertainty structure which makes every one of my artwork unique. Apart from that, combining with resin marks the important part of my creation which through the transparent effect of resin, I can preserve and transform my embroidery into a certain shape just like photographs capturing the moment of my life.

Within my creations, I would love to create my own utopia which has its own vibrant freedom through my embroidery. Growing up as an Asian I had been trapped in multiple stereotypes for most of my childhood and I believe there are lots of people who are in the same situation as me. That is the reason why I create my embroidery and capture them into crystal clear resin. Through the movement of embroidery itself, I wish people can capture their sense of freedom in their own meaning and enjoy the utopia without any concerns. With the uncertainty movement from embroidery of my method, each piece of my embroidery is one and only. Carrying the meaning of “you are the only one”, I also wish people can escape from all those stereotypes and become their true self.

ARTWORK STATEMENT

“Time is never a linear pattern, it blooms in its own time zone" Inspired by our mother nature and artist Salvador Dali, the definition of ageing and time both carries in different formats. We once were told to do correct things at the correct timeline following what other people are doing. If you fail to follow what people are doing, you will be considered a failure in your life.

The time growing with the bloom collection showcases the point of view of time from Yiling in different angles. Inheriting the unique fluid embroidery style that Yiling has always explored with, the distortion of embroidery showcases her definition of time, time is never a linear replicate shape, it is a fluid water that flows in their own will. The core silhouette from the collection is inspired by Salvador Dali’s creation. In Dali’s world, time is never a fixed term, time could be shapeless, time is never a fixed timeframe that everyone should follow. Besides, through the transparency of resin in the artwork, when sun shines through the day, it also represents the fluidity of time.

By deconstructing and reconstructing shapes extracted from the inspirations, this collection Yiling is also dedicated to considering the relationship between her artworks and the functionality of innovative textile in the real world. How her artworks can interact with the environment and how her own artistic language through embroidery can stand within the current textile world and her future image as an innovative textile artist.

How would you describe your artistic practice in terms of its uniqueness and approach?

For artistic approach wise, I particularly love to experiment with how geographic patterns that I extracted from my inspiration could interact with me deconstructing my embroidery. I will say the most attractive part in my approach will be the controversial feeling between resin and embroidery in my works. I always love to align a simple body made by resin with intricate embroidery movements to create my unique approach.

Could you elaborate on the role of digital embroidery in your artworks and how it contributes to the overall aesthetic?

I will say my digital embroidery stands for the soul of my project. It carries the main language I would like to express through each object that I created, it expresses my point of view to the world. Besides, digital embroidery represents my controversial personality over my aesthetic as digital embroidery normally being considered as a “neat” process in design, but I am always devoted to exploring the messy new techniques that I can create with my machine.

Your use of water-soluble methods to create uncertainty structures in your embroidery is quite innovative. What inspired you to explore this technique?

Actually this method started when I was doing my final collection in university. At the beginning I was exploring a new form of digital embroidery lace and tried to replicate the pattern tiles on old windows in Taiwan. I was trying to replicate the world I have seen through the window back when I was young, that was the moment when I found this method.

Resin plays a significant role in preserving and transforming your embroidery into unique shapes. What led you to incorporate resin into your process?

It is the transparency and fluidity of resin that gets me to incorporate it into my artistic process. At the beginning I was seeking for new materials that would allow me to maintain the shape of my embroidery without harming my embroidery materials and it needs to be clear enough for the audience to see the movement of my embroidery, also not too hard to get access to. That is when resin comes across.

Your artwork often portrays themes of freedom and escaping stereotypes. How do you aim to convey these concepts through your embroidery?

I aim to showcase the freeform of my will by creating the base pattern for my embroidery before putting them into water - the process of dissolving the embroidery is where I showcase my will of freedom and escaping. Besides, in each of my collections I will design a series of new patterns for embroidery according to my drawings. Even though sometimes after the water soluble techniques it is very hard to identify what is the original shapes of the embroidery design, I always believe that creating new patterns for each of my collections also showcase my will of freedom.

Can you discuss the inspiration behind your collection "Time Growing with the Bloom" and its representation of the fluidity of time?

This collection is 50% inspired by one of the conversations with my beloved friends from childhood and 50 % coming from my own experience in the past. I will say that if my collection in the past comes from my self narrative and exploration, this collection could be seen as a gift that I create for my beloved friends that we have spent the past 10 years together. As friends grew up together, we are at the point in our life facing different priorities and choices. I guess we all wish time to go backwards and stay the same once we all were, but sadly it couldn’t. We might be scared and confused at this point, but our time flows in different ways, there is no certain template we need to follow to be portrayed as a successful life.

How do you see your artworks interacting with the environment, particularly in terms of innovative textiles and their functionality?

Like I stated before I love to see some breathing space within my artworks. This also represents those “white space” that I have kept intentionally in my artworks such as resin and cut off from my embroidery. Those white spaces I will say are the key spaces I left for the environment to fill up with their natural movement and create the unexpected story. Take the sun movement as an example, when placing my works near places exposed to the sun, during the day when sun passes by, different sunlight could create different reflections on my artworks.

Also with regards to functionality, I will be very honest that it is a difficult process when trying to balance innovative textile and functionality and I am still working towards it. But I will say I am exploring the deconstruction of normal objects' silhouette such as vases from different angles and see if there is any possibility that textile could step in as the main body of these objects but still keep their function as it used to be.

Could you share your vision for the future of your artistic journey and the direction you see your work heading in?

I would say my vision so far within my artistic journey will be carrying on exploring different possibilities that embroidery could create and interact with different materials. In my own vision the possibility is endless. I won’t say if there is a clear certain direction that I am 100% sure that I am heading towards now, but I could say now apart from creating my own resin works, I do start to explore a wider category within my art practice such as fashion jewellery and larger scale installation art.

What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artworks?

I hope they will find their own peace as always through my works. Other than this, I also hope viewers can find emotions they might have once left behind in their life, no matter what kind of emotion that is, they can all find their own haven to stay for a while in my utopia.

How do you navigate the balance between tradition and modernity in your exploration of contemporary embroidery?

Honestly I will say part of this is coming from my controversial personality and my training in university. As a person with an old soul and still love to create works through the most traditional way I guess that is where the traditional feeling comes from in my creations. But as part of me still embracing challenges and love to break through rules all the time, I think that is where modernity comes in. However, I do think that the training that I have gone through back in university did enhance my ability of balancing both tradition and modernity while creating as we are always being encouraged to explore different possibilities and go beyond the limitations when creating our own collection.

ARTIST BIO

YILING WU IS A contemporary embroidery artist FROM TAIWAN, CURRENTLY BASED IN LONDON. SHE GRADUATED FROM London College of Fashion, SPECIALISED IN fashion textiles, AND HER ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT FUELS HER CREATIVE JOURNEY.

YILING’S AREA OF EXPERTISE LIES IN digital embroidery, AND HER WORK HAS BEEN SHOWCASED AT ESTEEMED EVENTS SUCH AS Premiere Vision 2021, Taiwan Expo 2022 AND London Design week 2023 WHERE SHE PARTICIPATED AS AN ARTIST. HER ARTISTIC EXPLORATION REVOLVES AROUND THE INTRICATE INTERPLAY BETWEEN fashion AND contemporary embroidery, HIGHLIGHTING THE INTRIGUING CONTRAST BETWEEN tradition AND modernity. HER INSPIRATION FLOWS FROM DIFFERENT ANGLES OF HER LIFE, SHE LOVES TO OBSERVE from nature to society AND INTERPRET INTO HER OWN ARTISTIC LANGUAGE THROUGH EMBROIDERY.

REVIEW

Yiling Wu's artistic journey unfolds like a rich tapestry, intricately woven with threads of tradition, innovation, and personal narrative. Rooted in her Taiwanese heritage and nurtured by her experiences in London, Wu's approach to contemporary embroidery transcends conventional boundaries, offering a captivating glimpse into a world where artistry knows no limits.

At the heart of Wu's practice lies a deep reverence for the art of embroidery itself. Through her work, she endeavours to elevate embroidery from its traditional role as a mere embellishment to a central, dynamic element of artistic expression. This paradigm shift is evident in her use of digital embroidery, where intricate patterns and motifs take on a life of their own, infused with meaning and emotion.

One of the most striking aspects of Wu's work is her innovative use of materials, particularly resin. In her collection "Time Growing with the Bloom," resin serves as both a preservative and a transformative medium, allowing Wu to encapsulate the fluidity of time within her intricate embroideries. The transparent quality of resin adds a layer of depth and complexity to her pieces, inviting viewers to contemplate the interplay between permanence and transience, solidity and fluidity.

Wu's artistic vision is deeply rooted in her personal experiences and aspirations. Growing up as an Asian woman, she grappled with the weight of societal stereotypes and expectations. Through her art, Wu seeks to break free from these constraints, creating a utopian realm where individuality reigns supreme. Each stitch, each brushstroke, becomes a symbol of defiance and liberation, a testament to the power of self-expression. The concept of time looms large in Wu's work, serving as both a muse and a canvas for her creative explorations. Inspired by the surrealist visions of Salvador Dali, Wu reimagines time as a fluid, shape-shifting entity, defying conventional notions of linearity and predictability. In "Time Growing with the Bloom," she captures the essence of this fluidity through distorted embroideries and translucent resin, inviting viewers to contemplate the ever-changing nature of existence.

In her artist interview, Wu offers insights into her creative process and inspirations. She discusses her experimental approach to embroidery, including her use of water-soluble methods to create uncertainty structures within her pieces. Wu's commitment to pushing the boundaries of her craft is evident, as she continues to explore new techniques and materials in pursuit of artistic innovation.

Overall, Yiling Wu's artwork is a testament to the power of imagination and perseverance. Through her masterful blend of tradition and modernity, she invites viewers on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, where each piece serves as a window into her vibrant, ever-evolving world. As she continues to push the boundaries of contemporary embroidery, Wu's work promises to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.