Viewpoints 9 (Cycle 2) Challenge 3

Title of work: Self-breakthrough

Theme: Nine=Nein=No

My Feedback: The Wisdom of Big Tree

Somebody told me that what we really have is much more than what we think. I believe it’s a right point of view and I’m willing to take the challenge and accept the unknowns. The value will be determined only if we could make ourselves standing at the high point of prophets. Like a tree guarding the Earth and the Earth protecting humans, they linked to each other to survive.

I’ve been listening to the elders’ words, learning from their experiences and respecting their opinions ever since I was a child. Some friends said that it would make me lose myself, but I think that elders’ advices are valuable and wonderful learning opportunities to me. The more I learn from the elders, the less I have to strive and struggle. There are many wise men in my life. They are my role models who show me the direction and make me become wise gradually in treating others and daily lives. I’m an old soul living in a young body.

I also apply the experiences that I learned from the elderly on my quilting. They push me to somewhere high that others can’t see. When I started to learn quilting, I chose to learn by myself and say “No” to the Japanese learning system. Then, I establish my own teaching system. I say “No” to the popular quilting market in Taiwan and go my own way bravely. Thanks to saying “No”, I have the opportunities today to serve in Taiwanese quilting and plan a series of NPO activities.

I wish everyone peace and happiness.

Artist Statement:

I’m keen on learning things that I’m not familiar with in order to make self-improvements. I believe that it’s a life lesson for all of us. However, reality is often not as easy as what we imagined. Bias, preconception and different levels of understanding of people and things usually block us. Sometimes confidence would influence our choices and judgments. All these problems would be solved or gain positive response if only we can open our minds to learn. I’m willing to overcome my shortcomings. It’s also my lifelong learning goal.

Over a long period of time, I have known that there is a bottomless black hole inside me. There is nothing horrible as people might have imagined, but the need of profound knowledge makes it hard to access and reveal. The real world is gorgeous, colorful and full of hope, which is encouraging me, supporting me and giving me power and blessing because of my efforts to learn. I am like a colorless big tree that accepts various challenges through different learning experiences. I try my best to learn the wisdom and expect to bloom confidently just like the transparent flowers on the tree. I always believed that to learn humbly is the best way to breakthrough oneself. I wish myself and everyone all has the courage.

To me, this challenge gives me another opportunity to talk with my inner-self and re-understanding myself. It’s a very special experience to examine new feelings with every stitch. I cherish the creative process of this quilt. It’s going to be an unforgettable memory. Thank you Lisa-Marie for giving this topic!

Materials: woven fabric from my old collection, silk, satin, commercial cotton, glitter, beads, ribbon, lace, woolen yarn, metallic threads

Techniques: 100% hand-stitched, pieced, appliqué, 3-layer quilted

Size: 18” x 27”

For more information about Viewpoints 9, please visit: http://www.viewpoints9-2.blogspot.tw/