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July 2023 - Update

  • Studio Update/Process

  • Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

  • First Saturday - July 1

  • Vancouver Mural Fest is BACKK!!! (Aug 4-13)

  • Summer Schedule

Studio Update/Process

It’s been so nice getting back into my studio rhythm this past month, I’m back in the thick of it taking on multiple projects at once, I just can’t help myself! I work better when I’m busy, it helps me stay focused and committed to larger cross-stitch works. That way I can balance my time by taking “breaks” from my big projects by stitching smaller things here and there. I’m also happy to say that because of this I have more freedom to exercise my creative muscles and experiment with other techniques/approaches I’ve been itching to try. One of the new approaches I’ve been wanting to explore is cross-stitching with bigger stitches. This means instead of one stitch per square on Aida cloth, I’m actually stitching across two squares.

My newest project Glitch Streak 04 (an addition to my Glitch Streak collection, inspired by a scan glitch) uses this new technique and will be part of an exhibition for a Pride celebration during Vancouver Mural Fest. I’m not ready to share the completed piece yet, I’m still getting it framed! But I’ll share this detail photo instead so you can see the technique that I’m talking about.

Glitch Streak 04, detail, embroidery thread, Aida cloth, 2023

Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

I had a schedule conflict with my workshop, but thankfully THIS___ gallery was so accommodating! We’ve adjusted the time to 9am-1pm. Hoping that works better and that more of you decide to sign up. This is my first in person workshop and I can’t wait to teach you how to cross-stitch. Spots are limited, so register now using the button below!

In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.

You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.

By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!

Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.

First Saturday - July 1

Stop by my studio this weekend for First Saturday (12-5pm, Studio #211) and visit several other artists at the City Centre Artist Lodge (list of open studios below).

I’ve been re-organizing my studio display and have even better ways to show you all what I have to offer! You can always visit me during other studio hours (listed below) or other events in Vancouver. Or contact me directly (reply to this email) to schedule a private studio visit.

First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.

Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.

The following artist studios will be open:

Five Cat Collection - Studio # 31
Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Stephane Savoie - Studio # 123
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Denise Coles - Studio # 221
Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221

Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6

Date: July 1, 2023

Time: 12pm-5pm

https://www.firstsaturday.ca/next-open-studios

Vancouver Mural Fest is BACKK!!!

That’s right, you heard me! The most exciting, popular event of the summer is returning and there will be so much to check out this year! The festival takes place August 4-13, with mural tours, live music, food trucks, and of course open studios at City Centre Artist Lodge!

The main time to check out the studios at the Artist Lodge (City Centre Motor Hotel) will be during the Mt. Pleasant Street Party (Aug 10-13). But I’m also planning to have studio hours on the first weekend (Aug 4-5) of mural fest.

So if you want to take your time and have more room to explore my studio, I suggest stopping by on the first weekend! That will be the best time to get close and personal with my work! I hope you all can make it, please check out the mural fest website for more details/information.

Summer Schedule:

July 22 - Vancouver Farmer’s Market,
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm

Aug 4 - Studio Hours
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 3-5pm

Aug 5 - First Saturday
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm

Aug 6 - Studio Hours
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 12-5pm

Aug 10-11 - Vancouver Mural Fest/Mt. Pleasant Street Party
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 5-10pm

Aug 12-13 - Vancouver Mural Fest/Mt. Pleasant Street Party
City Centre Artist Lodge, 2111 Main Street,
Studio# 211, 2-10pm

June 2023 - Update

  • The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft

  • 2023 Pop-ups/Markets

  • Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

Last month I took some time away from the studio to recover from the tiring burnout of three solo exhibitions back-to-back since Fall 2022. A couple weeks ago I met with a client for a portrait photoshoot and I’m currently working on their cross-stitch portrait commission. I have a couple commissions being framed now, I can’t wait for my collectors pick them up so that I can share photos with you! My books are still open for commissions, so please visit the commission section of my website to learn more and reserve your spot before my spots fill up for the year!

It’s the final week of my solo exhibition, The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft, so if you haven’t been following along on social media I’m sharing photos of the installation! I’m so thankful for all the support that everyone at Artlink Contemporary Gallery provided for the installation and documentation of my second solo exhibition in the US.

The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft

This solo show challenges notions of labour, productivity, and the value of art in relation to craft and women’s work. Throughout her practice, Donen has explored the connection between the repetitive nature of women’s work and machines. Advances in technology continue to make physical human labor obsolete. In opposition to mass production Donen embraces slow repetitive processes, such as hand-stitching and knitting to bring awareness to undervalued women’s labor and traditional craft.

2023 Pop-ups/Markets

This weekend you can find me vending at the Dragon Boat BC - Vessi 500M Championship in partnership with Got Craft. My booth will be set up along the sea wall, I’ll be sharing a booth with fellow City Centre Artist Lodge tenant, Happy Nomad Candles. It’s supposed to be another beautiful weekend, so stop by for a free market featuring 20+ local artisans/businesses between 9am-5pm and watch the live Dragon Boat racing!

June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, 9-5pm, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street

2023 Schedule:

  • June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), 11-6pm, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver

  • Aug 10 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 5-10pm

  • Aug 11 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 5-10pm

  • Aug 12 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 2-10pm

  • Aug 13 - Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211, 2-10pm

  • Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.

You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.

By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!

Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.

May 2023 - Update

  • The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft

  • 2023 Pop-ups/Markets

  • Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

Last week I travelled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to install my next solo exhibition opening this week. This is my second solo show in the USA and the first time I’ve travelled outside of Canada to install my work. Overall, it was a great experience working with the gallery and I’m very happy with how the exhibition came together. I’ll be sharing more installation photos/videos on my social media in the coming weeks so be sure to follow me on Instagram (I post the most there)/Facebook.

The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft, May 4 - June 4, 2023, Artlink Contemporary Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN

The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labour & Craft

This solo show challenges notions of labour, productivity, and the value of art in relation to craft and women’s work. Throughout her practice, Donen has explored the connection between the repetitive nature of women’s work and machines. Advances in technology continue to make physical human labor obsolete. In opposition to mass production Donen embraces slow repetitive processes, such as hand-stitching and knitting to bring awareness to undervalued women’s labor and traditional craft.

2023 Pop-ups/Markets

First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.

Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.

The following artist studios will be open:

Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32

Tracy Anne Northey – Studio #34

Niki Brown - Studio # 103

Elana Sigal - Studio # 110

Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130

Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208

Mallory Donen - Studio # 211

Denise Coles - Studio # 221

Devorah Peterson - Studio # 221

 
Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6

Date: May 6, 2023

Time: 12pm-5pm  

https://www.firstsaturday.ca/next-open-studios

June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, 9-5pm, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street

2023 Schedule:

  • June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), 11-6pm, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver

  • Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211

  • Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.

You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.

By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!

Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.

April 2023 - Update

  • Proofs of Labour

  • No Smoking (Motel Collection)

  • Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

  • Portrait Draw - $10 entry for a chance to win a custom portrait valued at $350!

  • 2023 Pop-ups/Markets

Proofs of Labour

Proofs of Labour,⁠ 2023⁠, embroidery, Aida cloth,⁠ 24 inch hoop⁠, 74 hours of stitching, 48 hours of unstitching

I finished the final stages of unstitching all the threads from my Proofs of Labour conceptual cross-stitch project. Here’s what the Aida cloth looks like after 48 hour of unstitching. Remnants of fibres remain on the cloth and the holes are wider/stretched out from being punctured by needle and thread and finally unstitched. The labour logs and jars containing the unstitched threads will be part of the installation for an upcoming solo show in Indiana, May 4 - June 4, 2023.

Proofs of Labour,⁠ 2023⁠

Proofs of Labour,⁠ 2023⁠

No Smoking (Motel Collection)

My latest No Smoking cross-stitch series was inspired by actual signs from my studio located at the City Centre Motor Hotel and are a continuation of my Motel Collection.

Glitch Pin Workshop - Learn the Basics of Cross-Stitch

In this introductory cross-stitch workshop, artist Mallory Donen will demonstrate her step-by-step process of converting glitch images into cross-stitch patterns to make a glitch pin.

You will learn the fundamental skills of cross-stitch and pattern creation using Stitchfiddle.com.

By the end of the workshop, you will go home with your very own cross-stitched glitch pin!

Tickets are $50 (+tax) including all supplies.

Portrait Draw/Raffle

$10 Entry for your chance to
win a cross-stitched portrait valued at $350!

How it works: 
- Send $10 entry fee via etransfer (email: mmdonen@gmail.com)
- On April 10th, I will be drawing a lucky winner
- the winner will be asked to provide a photograph of a person/pet/item of their choosing
- I will create a custom small cross-stitch portrait (artwork approx. 3.5 x 3.5 inches)
- the winner will receive their original commission matted & framed (framed 12 x 12 inches) by May 31st

2023 Pop-ups/Markets

  • April 22-23 - Portobello West Spring Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

  • June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street

  • June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), TBD, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver

  • Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211

  • Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

March 2023 - Update

  • Solo Show - Womanmade: Crafting Architecture & the Mundane

  • Work in Progress - Proofs of Labour

  • First Saturday, March 4, 12 - 5pm

  • 2023 Pop-ups/Markets

  • Women in Art 2023

Solo Show - Womanmade: Crafting Architecture & the Mundane

I’m excited to be sharing some installation photos of my exhibition Womanmade: Crafting Architecture and the Mundane, in Michigan! This was my first time being completely hands off for the installation process and I’m very happy with how it all came together. The show will be up for another couple weeks before the work returns home at the end of March.

Work in Progress - Proofs of Labour

WIP - Proofs of Labour,⁠ 2023⁠, embroidery, Aida cloth,⁠ 24 inch hoop⁠, 74 hours of stitching

The update on my current work in progress is that I completed all 74 hours of stitching on the 24 inch embroidery hoop and I’ve moved onto the unstitching stage. While I’m unstitching all of these threads, I’m documenting all the labour and logging my hours. Then I will use the jars and labour logs for the installation of the project for a show in Indiana, starting in May. I’ve started to collect my unstitched threads into jars and I’ve been labelling them with the hours spent unstitching.

First Saturday @ City Centre Artist Lodge, Feb 4, 12-5pm

This coming Saturday, stop by to see my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign, which is now available as a print & a greeting card. I also have a new selection of buttons I’m excited to share. So if you want to add to your button collection you’ll need to come check them out in person!

First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.

Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.

The following artist studios will be open:

Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Happy Nomad Candles (Hayley) - Studio # 203
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225

Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: February 4, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm

https://www.firstsaturday.ca/next-open-studios

2023 Pop-ups/Markets

  • Mar 11 + 12 - Eastside Flea Market, 11-5pm, 550 Malkin, Vancouver

  • April 22-23 - Portobello West Spring Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

  • June 3 - Dragon Boat BC - VESSI 500 x Got Craft Market, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street

  • June 17 - VHS Market (Vintage & Handmade Society), TBD, 800 West Georgia, Downtown Vancouver

  • Aug 3 - 13 - TBD Vancouver Mural Fest, City Centre Artist Lodge, Studio# 211

  • Nov 25-26 - Portobello West Holiday Market, 10-5pm, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown (Vancouver)

Women in Art 2023

My project Glitch Streak will be part of the Women in Art 2023 group exhibition at the Kariton Art Gallery, celebrating International Women’s Month March 2023.

Glitch Streak, 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth, 21 x 35.5 inches, 182 hours of labour

February 2023 - Update

  • Solo Show - Womanmade: Crafting Architecture & the Mundane

  • Finished Work - Vancouver Cityscape

  • Work in Progress - Proofs of Labour

  • First Saturday, Feb 4, 12 - 5pm

  • New Work - City Centre Motor Hotel Sign

  • Save the date - Eastside Flea Market, Mar 11 & 12, 11-5pm

Solo Show - Womanmade: Crafting Architecture & the Mundane, February 14 - March 18, 2023, Mount Pleasant, MI

January was a very busy month focused on wrapping up works in progress, framing and shipping artwork across the border to Michigan for my first international solo show!

My exhibition Womanmade: Crafting Architecture and the Mundane, uses feminine craft processes such as cross-stitching and crochet, as well as photography, & digital collage to represent the masculine and manmade. Photographs of architecture and other mundane industrial imagery are translated into handmade representations. The exhibition includes framed cross-stitch works, photographs, digital art prints, and a hanging textile quilt.

Gender bias within fine art diminishes the value of women’s labour. Feminine craft practices such as knitting, crochet, embroidery and other needlework are disregarded for their artistic value. And although I self-identify as a textile or fibre artist, others often label me as a craft artist. It can be difficult to be taken seriously in the field of fine art when there is an association with craft that has a lesser value than other traditionally masculine art mediums, such as painting and sculpture. I challenge expectations of traditional craft by experimenting with new media. I combine cross-stitching, knitting, and digital art/photography to push the boundaries and expectations of craft as a fine art medium.

Finished Work - Vancouver Cityscape

Vancouver Cityscape,⁠ 2023⁠, 35 x 58.5 inches,⁠ mixed textiles, yarn, embroidery thread,⁠ 315 hours of labour

I’m so happy to share photos of my completed mixed textile project! I started this back in April 2022, but at the time it was a lower priority amongst my many other projects. 315 hours of labour later and it's finally done! ⁠ ⁠

The project was a big learning experience, as I've never made a textile piece combining so many different fibre processes. It's a quilt with appliquéd fabric, crochet, cross-stitch, and free-hand embroidery. This work shipped a couple weeks to Mt. Pleasant, Michigan for my solo exhibition! ⁠

Work in Progress - Proofs of Labour

For this new conceptual project, I will be logging hours of labour spent cross-stitching white thread on Aida cloth, using a 24-inch embroidery hoop. ⁠The threads used in the beginning section are the same threads that were used to cross-stitch handkerchiefs from my 2021 book project, Invisible Labour: Cross-Stitching, Feminism, & the Collective Strength of Women. ⁠ ⁠

After the cross-stitching is completed, I will proceed to unravel all of the stitching and log these hours as well. The threads, labour logs, embroidery hoop and Aida cloth used during the process will all be part of the final presentation.

⁠This process-based project will be a representation of how women often work tirelessly, only to have their labour undervalued. Overall, the exhibition will invite viewers to question the value of women’s labour, productivity, and craft.⁠ ⁠

The Art of Slowing Down: Women’s Labor & Craft⁠ May 4 - June 4, 2023⁠
Artlink Contemporary Gallery⁠ Fort Wayne, IN⁠

Proofs of Labour,⁠ 2023⁠, embroidery, Aida cloth,⁠ 24 inch hoop⁠

First Saturday @ City Centre Artist Lodge, Feb 4, 12-5pm

This coming Saturday, stop by to see my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign (see below) and a bunch of old paintings from my archives that my parents recently dropped off at the studio!

First Saturday is a public monthly artist-run open-studio event.

Come visit artists where they work at City Centre Artist Lodge.

The following artist studios will be open:

Maxine Woogman - Studio # 32
Tracy Anne Northey - Studio # 34
Niki Brown - Studio # 103
Ilena Lee Cramer - Studio # 109
Elana Sigal - Studio # 110
Shelley Saltzman - Studio # 130
Happy Nomad Candles (Hayley) - Studio # 203
Lukas Lundberg - Studio # 208
Mallory Donen - Studio # 211
Paulo OConnor - Studio # 225

Location: 2111 Main Street, Vancouver, BC V5T 3C6
Date: February 4, 2023
Time: 12pm-5pm

https://www.firstsaturday.ca/next-open-studios

New Work - City Centre Motor Hotel Sign

The above photos was taken as inspiration for my latest cross-stitch project of the City Centre Motor Hotel sign. ⁠The motel has been temporarily converted into artist studios until the building is demolished by developers. It's been home to my art studio and where I've been spending the majority of my time for the past year. ⁠I can't wait to build more memories and projects in this wonderful space and growing artist community!

City Centre Motor Hotel Sign,⁠ 2023,⁠ 7.5 x 5 inches⁠, embroidery, Aida cloth⁠, 28 hours of labour

Save the date - Eastside Flea Market, Mar 11 & 12, 11-5pm

Last but not least, the Eastside Flea Spring Market is back every weekend in March and I’ll be a first time vendor on the second weekend! Come see visit my booth on March 11 or 12 between 11-5pm. I’ll be selling prints, stickers, pins, and small cross-stitch works, something for every budget!

The Eastside Flea

The Eastside Flea is a seasonal community event taking place at Eastside Studios, 550 Malkin Ave. Each market hosts over 50 local vendors selling a diverse selection of goods from independently handmade pieces to vintage clothing, collectibles, plants, artisan eats & more!
You’ll also find 2-3 rotating food trucks parked outside, an amazing playlist, lots of seating and yummy beverages to enjoy!.

We hope to see you at the Flea soon!

December 2022 - Update

  • Xmas Art Market @ City Centre Artist Lodge (Dec. 3 + 4)

  • Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)

Xmas Art Market @ City Centre Artist Lodge (Dec. 3 + 4)

❄️ It's a Winter Wonderland in Vancouver! ❄️

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than to check out the Holiday art market my studio this weekend?

🎄 Support local artists & businesses this holiday season and make someone do a happy holiday jig for joy 💃.

😋 Eat some food truck goodies, have a drink & stick around for the live music festival presented by Ice Cream Truck Live⁠ 🎶!

CONNECT X-Mas Market & Music Festival: Love is the Warmest Colour.⁠ ⁠

⁠When: Dec 3 & 4, 11am-7pm⁠

⁠What: This two-day community festival will combine an open studio art sale with live music and food trucks for a unique, immersive, celebration of Vancouver’s creative spirit.⁠

Where: City Centre Artist Lodge (2111 Main street - Main & 6th)⁠

⁠⁠I'm in studio# 211 ⁠
Upstairs under the big #1⁠
Entrance on the Main Street side.⁠

View event info & full list of artists.

Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)

I’ve been busy working on getting this mixed textile project completed by the end of the year. With that said I still have lots to do before I’m done, so I’ll be keeping this blog update short and sweet. Here are some photos of the most recent progress.

July 2022 - Update

  • City Centre Opening Weekend - Recap

  • Grant Project Update - Becoming Pixel (Portrait 3/5)

  • Glitch Streak (Work in Progress)

  • Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)

City Centre Opening Weekend - Recap

Studio selfie from day 1 of the open studios at City Centre.

A little corner of the studio, showcasing framed works.

Congrats to Harvey + Miu who were the lucky winners of my weekend giveaway of an original framed artwork: Glitch Series 02 - Crop_2.jpg.

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to the City Centre Open Studios last weekend! It was a whirlwind to see so many people out in public, enjoying the beautiful weather, and engaging with the art community in such a positive way. There was pretty much steady traffic passing through my studio all weekend long and I’m so happy that I was able to share both finished works, as well as works in progress with so many new people!

I spent several days prior to the event prepping the studio by hanging more works and rearranging some of the furniture to help showcase as much as I could. I made some sales and by far the best sellers of the weekend were my pins. The 1.5" Glitch pin was the most popular and lots of people were surprised that I had square pins! In case anyone is wondering, I get all my pins made locally at Six Cent Press, right here in Vancouver.

This week I updated my website shop, so if there's anything from the weekend that you missed or changed your mind about you can find it there! Feel free to reach out and arrange a private studio visit if you want to see works in person again or for the first time. If you are local I have the option to pick up from the studio so that you don't need to pay for shipping!

Grant Project Update - Becoming Pixel (Portrait 3/5)

Becoming a Pixel - Portrait 3/5, 2022, embroidery floss, Aida cloth⁠, 7 x 7 inches, 31.25 hours of labour

Last month I finished the third portrait from the Becoming a Pixel series. It’s the least detailed portrait of the three and at this point it’s becoming much harder to identify the image as a self-portrait. The first portrait from the series started with five shades of grey and this portrait is simplified down to only three colours of embroidery thread. The next portrait will be two colours and the final portrait will only be one. I can’t wait to share more progress as this series continues to unravel!

 
 

Glitch Streak (Work in Progress)

Glitch Streak (WIP), 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth

During the open studio event last weekend I was live stitching on this beauty! I felt a little bit like a broken record letting people know that “I’m just over half-way done this piece and I’m about 100 hours in”. My favourite part was seeing people react to how much time I’d spent working on this piece and them realizing that I’m not even done yet!

Glitch Streak (WIP detail), 2022, embroidery, Aida cloth

Vancouver Cityscape (Work in Progress)

I’ve been low key working on some cross-stitched “building” strips that will be added to the Vancouver Cityscape, mixed textile piece that I’ve also been slowly working on in the background (amongst my other higher priority projects). Here are some photos of the process, I hope to be done these in the next week or so!

July 2021 - Update

 
 
cross-stitch-hanky-09-edited.jpg

Work in Progress - Funded Art Book Project

After three months of hard core cross-stitching and laborious unstitching, I’ve completed the final cross-stitch piece for my art book project funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. July will be spent reviewing all of the stories submitted through my open call and carefully curating/selecting which ones to include in the book. I will also begin the design and layout of the book using InDesign. It’s really rewarding to see months of work come together and I can’t wait to show off the book when it’s all done!

 
 

Recording: Feminist Craft of Care in Times of Crisis

Back in May, I was one of three artist’s that presented and participated in a panel discussion as part of the public programming for Cinevolution’s Digital Carnival Z. Now there’s a recording of the full event available to view on youtube!

Moderated by Minah Lee, Associate Curator.

How have the labours of women artists been affected by the challenges of the ongoing pandemic? By centering feminist understandings of time and intergenerational connections, can we resist normalized and privileged cruelties practiced by capitalist patriarchy in these unprecedented times?

This panel invites you to the works of Lena Chen, Mallory Donen, and Sarah Shamash, three women artists who are crafting "care culture" in their communities through their art practice and subverting the expected outcomes of feminized labours. Lena Chen is a Chinese American writer and artist creating performances and socially engaged art in live and virtual contexts. Mallory Donen is a multidisciplinary artist residing in Vancouver, exploring processes rooted in traditional craft passed down by generations of women in her family. Sarah Shamash’s projects often underline geopolitics, feminist thought, and historical difference as a marker for understanding the world and worldings in media histories. Threading together realities of gender, labour, and surveillance, the artists' dialogue will expose gendered bodies in resistance, woven into the textile and tactility of the digital world and beyond.

This artist panel is part of the public program series curated by Minah Lee for Cinevolution's Digital Carnival Z, featuring UNION by Featured Artists Nancy Lee 李南屏 and Kiran Bhumber ਕਿਰਨਦੀਪ ਕੌਰ ਭੰਬਰ.

Discover the rest of the events in the series at www.DigitalCarnival.ca.

Society Reboot: A Guide for Humans

I’m excited to share a new video work that I created as a response to the pandemic. The work is intended as comic relief from the anxieties that someone might be experiencing now that state of emergency restrictions are being lifted. How do we start functioning as social human beings again, after such an extended period of isolation? What is normal?

Society Reboot: A Guide for Humans is an instructional video created for humans starting over in a social setting. Have you been quarantined during a pandemic? Do you need a guide for social interactions that use to be second nature? Then, this is the video for you! Or maybe existing in society has always been awkward for you? If so, this guide will introduce you to the social basics and help you learn how to be more “normal”.

This project provides a serious reflection of society's ever-changing definition of “normal”. Humour, irony, and sheer ridiculousness are used as tools to confront discomforts and fears, as individuals are re-introduced to societal interactions.