Viewpoints 9 Challenge 7

Title of work: Warm Love

Theme: Image from Tradition 

My Feedback: The Vanishing Culture 

Life is a combination of numerous coincidences. When I completed the 6 challenge, I shared the idea of making a quilt with my collection of old traditional fabrics with my friends. Then, I received our 7 challenge, “Image from Tradition”. What a great coincidence! Thank you Misik for giving me this incredible opportunity!

I attended an opening ceremony of a cultural exhibition at a museum in Taiwan on March, 24^th. The theme was “The Vanishing Culture of Taiwanese Aborigines - The Pingpu Tribe”. The exhibition introduces the people who lived in Taiwan Island around 4 to 5 thousand years ago. The people are what we called “The Pingpu Tribe” today. Their traditional culture and customs are replaced by the Han Chinese culture gradually in the recent 4 hundred years. Many of the valuable antiques are also taken away from Taiwan by the new residents. Many of the exhibits displayed in the exhibition are from overseas. It’s nice to see them “coming back” to Taiwan again. I am especially attracted by the fiber and costumes of Pingpu people, so I decide to do some research about them.

The Pingpu people use natural plant fibers, such as cotton and linen, to make their clothes. They use waist looms to weave. Plaid is the most common pattern they use, and natural dyeing colors such as red, yellow, green, purplish blue, orange…etc are common to see. The most gorgeous costumes of Pingpu people are usually decorated with delicate brocade. The handmade techniques present the simple and pure lifestyle at that time.

I was born and grown up in Taiwan, but it’s my first time seeing the primitive culture. I’m so touched and feel very lucky to experience the vanishing culture. All the photos posted here are not the antiques of thousand years ago (but 400 years ago), because I can’t take photos of the oldest antiques. They are too old to be attacked by flashlights anymore.

To be honest with you, the exhibition changes my original design plan for the 7^th challenge. My plan of challenge 7 now remains unknown.

Artist Statement: 

Thank you, Misik, for giving us this meaningful challenge. By this challenge, Image from Tradition, I got the chance to take a look at the vanishing culture of Taiwanese Aborigines. Then, as I tried to explore the definition of “tradition”, an image that has existed in my life for 25 years rose before my eyes. I decided to use the image for my quilt and share the story with everyone.

Admittedly, every contemporary culture will become ancient traditional images in another generation. New culture that has been influenced by traditional culture must be recorded. The red sweater that my mom gave me not only gives me warmth but also appeases my negative emotions. The power of it is as beautiful as flowers. The sweater is worn out and now it becomes part of my quilt. I would like to dedicate this quilt to my mom and thanks for her love and support. Happy mother’s day and stay healthy to mothers around the world! 

Marriage is a tradition itself. It’s also the hardest challenge in my life. My mom was definitely worried and anxious about my new life. She bought me some clothes, so that at least she could make sure that I wouldn’t feel too cold. One of them was a red sweater, which was just like an angel to me, and it “escorted” me through my “hard times”. 

In Taiwan, following the tradition is the most basic obligation for a married woman to obey. I was assigned to prepare for traditional ceremonies and 3 meals a day for the entire family of 30 people or more during Chinese New Year (usually for 10 days). During the 10 days, no one else could help me. I had to do all the preparing and cooking by myself. I was pregnant, but it wasn’t an excuse to escape.

I didn’t have any cooking experience at my maiden home, not to mention housekeeping. The traditional value was just like a monster, and it made me wanted to run away. Beside the household chores, I had to try to get along with my husband’s family and adjust myself to the new living environment. All the things just came to me at the same time, and I was extremely struggle with them. I used to cry a lot and feeling helpless like a melancholic.

It was a cold winter, so I wore the red sweater that my mom gave me. Magically, the red sweater not only gave me warmth, but also brought me joy and luck. I started to look at the bright side of life and learned to do those things step by step. The interpersonal relationship was the first problem that I overcame. After that, life seems become easier gradually. 

Techniques: hand pieced, hand quilted, yoyo

Materials: sweater, mono printed cotton, commercial cotton, beads, paillette 

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