Smashed

Smashed

Saying no saved my life 28 years ago.

After witnessing the destruction that substance abuse can wreak on family and relationships, it became necessary for me to admit to myself that I would go down the same path if I persisted in my habits.

Smashed is a double entendre, of course, it can mean under the influence as well as broken.

I was both those things- and have spent many years putting the pieces back together.

34x19", silk, digital printing, marker, paint.

Hwabyung

by Misik Kim

Hwabyung 18" x 18" 

Hwabyung does not exist in other countries, an unusual illness is in Korea.

It is called “Hwabyung”

Hwabyung,(화병), whose literal meaning is “anger disease” or fire disease” is known as Korean culture –related syndrome related to anger.

In Korean ‘hwa’ means “anger” as well as “fire” Ordinary Koreas have used.

It most often occurs in middle aged, menopausal women.

They typically live in traditional families which stress the value of males

while devaluing women.

In these families, a woman’s virtue is to quietly bear misfortune and ungappiness

While maintaining harmony.

Hwabyung is considered to have originated from a Korean cultural emotion “Hahn” which is a concoction of sorrow and anger feelings

This emotion is connected to psychosocial stress of family and economic discords.

As Korean culture implies suppression of anger.

Sometimes these emotions give a lot of energy to work.

I also have Hahn.

I like this kind of emotion like Hahn

Hwabyung, detail

I don't know

I like things to be black and white. There is comfort in certainty. And what could be more black and white than “No” and “Yes”? Apparently a lot, because when I contemplated the role of “no” in my life, I realized it was very gray.

In my experience, “no” can mean: no, yes or maybe. I interpret these as stop, go or wait depending on the circumstances. No: one word, two letters, three meanings. Clear as mud.

“Other Worldly” came together from a variety of concepts:

• The disparate, fractured elements that influence how I react (stop, go, wait)
• The circular nature of yes-no-maybe and how my choices circle back and affect my life
• The illusion of certainty

 

I titled my piece “Other Worldly” because the process of interpreting “no” in my life is so…unpredictable and uncontainable, it’s almost alien. At least to this black and white girl.

Through this challenge I discovered another homonym. If I’m ever again asked to consider the impact of “no” in my life, I’ll just respond “I don’t know”.

An absence of NO

Perhaps it's the contrarian side of me, but I couldn't help myself.  "NO" just naturally means "YES".

I recall that we were cautioned as teenagers, learning Japanese while living in Japan, that "Iei" (no) was impolite to say in business and formal situations.  I don't think it's as much of a taboo now, except in retail/business exchanges when it is still very impolite, but long ago and in a rural area it was stressed.

That suited me fine!  I tried to co-op the etiquette and extend it to American-English situations as well.

It is very interesting…and sometimes requires adroit mental gymnastics, to communicate 'no' without using the word.  Prime training for diplomacy that was required years later when I became a parent and, later still, during my career as a real estate broker.

Now, older, wiser and much more experienced, I see real value in not saying 'no'.  For instance, I try dyeing, or a new technique, or a new idea without success.  Perfect time for a 'yes!'  That situation simply set up a new dynamic….time to try something different.

I hope to build on negatives with a big, old, hearty, fist-pumping YES.

It Would Be Impolite to Say No (27"x27")

Yes and No

To me, "no" isn't always a negative experience. Sometimes it's neutral.  A way to keep going on a certain path without being diverted.  We need to say no sometimes, to retain some kind of structure in our lives. I have to say no to one thing in order to keep a commitment I made to something or someone else.

But you know what they say about all work and no play!  Saying "yes" is much more exciting. YES makes life colorful and surprising, even if it sometimes leads to disappointment and grief. YES opens up the possibility for growth.

In this piece, the plain white areas represent "No". It coexists with "yes", creating a framework and structure.  NO allows a break in life's constant activity and energy. But if you say no to everything life would be so bland… monotonous… vanilla.

The diamond shaped windows represent "Yes".  Something new is revealed in each one.  Not all the yes-es are bright and cheery.  Some are dark, some might even be ugly on their own.  But together they create a rich and varied collection.



Technical details:
Individual 9" x 9" white fabric squares, folded and sewn together; scraps of hand-dyed and batik fabrics inserted and machine sewn using "Easy Cathedral Windows" technique (found here: http://hyena-in-petticoats.blogspot.com/2007/08/cathedral-window-quilt-tutorial.html ).

Alp Sigel

Alp Sigel ©2014, 27" x 9"

I've given a lot of thought to Lisa-Marie's 9 = nein = no challenge and it seems to play tricks on me. When has the negative been positive in my life?  So many different ways to go with that idea.  But I decided to build on my alpine tale (thanks for the suggestion, Kate).

In my experience, the greatest adventures I've had have been the result of saying no to logic and reason and taking a chance.  I'm sure there are plenty of instances where I've cast better judgement aside and the outcome has been less than positive….but I'm focusing on positive negatives.  The mountain biking down the mountain in the dark, or hitchhiking around Northern California or taking the ski lift to the summit the first time out…...things that could have gone either way, but wound up in the great memory category.  I now know, that if it's a little edgy and I'm a little undecided, it's worth it to take a chance.*

Such was the unexpectedly challenging hike up the mountain in the Alps with hungry children, darkness approaching, and possible rain.  In the morning, we were greeted by a herd of cows and these two very obliging models that posed over and over.

Alp Sigel was created with hand-dyed cottons, silk organza and painted non-wovens, layered and raw-edge appliquéd, with machine quilting and hand embroidery.

*Results may vary.

Self-breakthrough

by Lin Hsin-Chen

Self-breakthrough, 18" x 27"

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