Spiritus Vitae

Over a month or so ago I decided to pull out my small collection of paints and unopened brushes. A week or so before that I started getting these daydreams, manifestations of accumulated esoteric books I have been reading for awhile.

It has been close to three years since I've decided to stop painting, focusing instead on my new (at the time) passion of sewing and working with repurposed textile. I was excited with the completely different approach of creating a piece of garment, sculpture like in conception. I start with setting certain colours and fabrics together, arranging them like I would a collage that will eventually be a garment that is made entirely out of repurposed materials. I pour all my attention to working in this form, enjoying the immense satisfaction that comes with seeing my work of art living amongst people out in world, being worn and loved from the comfort they could offer.

It shifted my understanding of the usage of medium in art. I have been painting for most of my life, one of my earlier memory is me painting watercolours in the backyard of my childhood house, being in high school and aspiring towards Van Gogh and Basquiat. Painting had always been the main focus in my creative expressions. Eventually I learned to love photography and writing as well. But sewing was in such a different league, the level of craftsmanship attained from learning this skill reminds me of that old agency that comes with being self-sufficient in all manner of living. Old world crafts are such beautiful works of art. It can get overshadowed these days by the shinny glistens modern concepts and technology are preaching as the "elevated" way to live.

Through this passion I then went deeper to understanding the global urgency that comes with garments industry, like fast fashion and over-consumption in retail spaces. Since slowly dipping back in to painting I have an idea of somehow combining my two art focuses, a few experiments have been done but more will definitely come as I navigate this new realm I have stepped into.

Art can be mean a lot of things but for me it has always been a safe space for trying to understand the world and expressing that wonder in a safe space to play where trial and error is part of the process alongside love of stories and love of the strangeness.