Stitches of Time
Meina Zhang
Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)
About this Item
- Title
- Stitches of Time
- Contributor Names
-
Zhang, Meina (Creator, Illustrator)
-
Dittrich, Dennis (Thesis advisor)
-
Miller, Anelle (Thesis advisor)
- Date
- 2023
- Summary/Artist's Statement
-
As an artist, my embroidery illustrations titled 'Stitches of Time' are a celebration of the beauty and complexity of life, and the many ways in which our experiences are woven together over time.
The process begins by dyeing the canvas with watercolor paints, which serve as a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for the embroidery thread and wool felt. These materials are carefully selected and combined to create a tactile, textured surface that draws the viewer in and invites exploration.
To further enhance the visual impact of the work, I also incorporate watercolors and colored clay, which add depth and dimension to the finished piece. Through the use of these varied materials and techniques, I am able to create a work that is both visually striking and emotionally resonant to me.
To bring my family's story to life, I use a range of materials and techniques, starting with dyeing the canvas with watercolor paints, serving as a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for the embroidery thread and wool felt. I carefully select and combine these materials to create a tactile, textured surface that reflects the complexity and depth of our family's journey.
'Stitches of Time' are a tribute to my family and the unique experiences we shared. Growing up with four sisters and a single mother was a challenging yet rewarding journey, and I am grateful for the many memories we created together. -
In my visual thesis, “Stitches of Time’, I further explored the practicality of mixed media. I created six embroidered artworks based on my family’s story, incorporating materials such as clay and wool felt. The artworks depict my parents leaving the countryside to seek a better life in the city, followed by the passing of my father. Despite that, my mother continued to raise my three sisters and me with great care. For the main characters in the artworks, I mainly used clay, while wool felt was used to create trees and flowers. I aimed to convey a rustic and warm atmosphere through my artwork.
To bring my family’s story to life, I use a range of materials and techniques, starting with dyeing the canvas with watercolor paints, serving as a vibrant and dynamic backdrop for the embroidery thread and wool felt. I carefully select and combine these materials to create a tactile, textured surface that reflects the complexity and depth of our family’s journey. - Medium
- Embroidery, watercolor on canvas fabric
- Course/Degree Information
- Creation date: 05/20/2023
- Program/Degree: Illustration MFA
- Professor(s): Dittrich, Dennis; Miller, Anelle
- Rights
- In Copyright
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
- The copyright for this work is held by its author/creator(s). Usage of this material beyond what is permitted by copyright law must first be cleared with the rights-holder(s). This work has been made available online by the Fashion Institute of Technology Gladys Marcus Library strictly for research and educational purposes. If you are the copyright holder for this work and have any objections to this work being made available online, please notify us immediately at [email protected].
- Identifier
- FIT Repository ID: mi_000007
Citation
Zhang, M. (2023). Stitches of Time. FIT Institutional Repository. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/123777
Zhang, Meina. Stitches of Time. 2023. FIT Digital Repository, https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/123777
Zhang, Meina. "Stitches of Time." FIT Digital Repository, 2023. https://institutionalrepository.fitnyc.edu/item/123777