Interpretation of Kintsugi - Collaboration with Esse
What is repair? This is something that I have been thinking about since my last repair-themed textile art work. To some, mending is the technical aspect - the thread, the needle, the scissors. To others, the process of repair itself can bring out therapeutic and soothing elements. But there are also the many layers within the mending that we should embrace - these are the flaws, the imperfections and the accidents. This is the beauty behind Kintsugi, an ancient Japanese technique from some five centuries ago, where artisans used lacquer and gold pigments to put broken ceramics back together. The result is not a new piece of homeware, but an item that is uplifted through the “golden seams”. I like to think of Kintsugi as a form of golden scotch tape - a bit like how washi tape is to scotch tape - apply the latter to a book and it looks ordinary, but apply washi, and your book is transformed.
OFFCUTS Edition II - A Collaboration with Esse
A few months ago, Alicia Tsi of sustainable fashion label, Esse, approached me to explore ways of making furoshiki from salvaged offcuts from her studio’s cutting room floor. I was excited to be collaborating with Esse as I love the brand’s philosophy of creating timeless classics, and redefining the way consumers approach fashion and interact with their garments. Alicia was drawn to the Kintsugi-inspired piece that I had earlier created using free motion embroidery and natural dyes, and we explored using this as the theme for the furoshiki collection.
Sketchbooks
Although I was given creative freedom in this project, I wanted to ensure that the resulting wraps would be in line with Esse’s philosophy. Natural fibers are central to their garments and as such, I decided to take inspiration from my natural surroundings. The resulting furoshiki are inspired by the cracks created by growth in the walls, roads and pavements in my neighbourhood - I see these cracks as mother nature’s response to our existence .
Initial illustrations
Exploring Techniques
Much of the initial part of the project was experimenting especially since I had never worked with Tencel before. It involved selecting the right threads, interfacing and also technique to use. I eventually chose a) SULKY Cotton Gutermann threads as the sheen matched the gold luster on ceramics; and b) Heat N Bond iron-on interfacing. I also opted for a tight satin stitch when sewing the remnants together. I must say that it was a challenge to keep everything flat within the 60 x 60 cm piece of fabric - freezer paper was definitely my best friend!
Kintsugi Furoshiki
Together with Alicia, I have created 10 unique pieces of furoshiki for Esse’s OFFCUTS Edition II. Each piece is free motion embroidered and pieces together fabric remnants from Esse’s studio. These will be launched exclusively under Esse at Boutiques Fair (15 - 17 Nov 2019), and are available on-line. Beyond them being used as a gift wrap, a center piece or wall hanging in your living room, I hope each piece will inspire you to look beyond the cracks and the repair, but see the beauty and the resilience that comes with it.
Free motion embroidered furoshiki from fabric remnants