Viewpoints 9 (Cycle 2) Challenge 9

Title of work: Win by a Surprise Move

Theme: Baseball: Swing for the fences

My Feedback: Group Discipline

When I received the challenge about team work, my younger son just joined the army to fulfill his mandatory military service. He is an honor guard in the Republic of China Army. The team has to perform rifle exhibition drill at major celebrations and when foreign dignitaries visit the country. He is very nervous about his performance because the honor guards require exact discipline and spirit of team work. He always reminds himself the sense of honor, hoping to become the elite of the group.

I have the same sense of honor of participating in a quilting group! Not being late. Follow the rules. Shoot for a verity of positive opportunities for the group. We play well with our team.

Artist Statement:

Taiwan is located in the subtropical region. We have rare chance of seeing snow in the winter. Due to extreme climate anomalies in 2014, we got some snow. I observed how plants overcome the threat of extreme weather. They are adorable; especially the small daisies that strive to survive. They show us their surprise move of glorious living. I am sending them my best wishes, and therefore I sew unique colors on them.

What touched me is the energy of team work. When I was creating this piece, we had a mayoral election in Taiwan. The incumbent mayor of TaipeiCity is also a surgeon. He changes the city with his mission of life-saving. He said some nice words, “Ask yourself to do your best at every current situation. Adjust yourself and be friendly to people, events, substances and environments. Make all-out effort to the current situation.” This concept shocks me. Over a long period of time, I have been worked hard, but I didn’t make all-out effort. It will affect my future value of life and reverse my observation and thinking. Both the incumbent mayor of TaipeiCity and small daisies are creating new value of life with their finite lives. I thank them for giving me the opportunity to comprehend the truth and improve myself.

Launching new methods and perspectives, win by a surprise move, swing for the fences, highlight the value of individual honor and enhance the value of the group - this is the challenge I give myself in the second cycle of Viewpoints 9. I hope to apply my daily observations to the 9 pieces of work I create. As a result, "observations" have been accompanying me in the past 18 months and giving me the joy of creating. Coincidentally, the ninth challenge of cycle 2 from Diane is something about “swing for the fences”. What a perfect ending! Thank you, Diane! I would also like to thank members of Viewpoints 9 for giving me such a substantial journey.

Materials: silk, recycled banner, commercial cottons, ribbon, lace, woolen yarn, dyed fabrics, Romanian threads, embroidery floss, selvedge

Techniques: hand pieced, hand appliqué, hand knitted, yoyo, three layers quilted

Size: 18” x 27”

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