It was purely by chance that a bazaarite discovered the creative work of Yan Liu; she’d been sharing photos of her prize-winning pieces within a choir’s WhatsApp group.
But once bazaar saw a few more images of the art Yan was creating in a medium which we’d previously failed to appreciate as so complicated and beautiful, we had to find out more.
Yan has Chinese roots but spent much of her life in Canada, got married, has raised two now adult boys and arrived in Kuwait in 2010 following her husband’s job.
Despite her impressive academic career in Science and Engineering, Yan concentrates her efforts on the family instead of employment and now with her children creating lives of their own, keeps herself very busy with hobbies such as singing and performing with Ahmadi Music Group, exercising, travel and photography, cooking, Bible study and with textile art which is where she is really coming into her own.
Way back in 2003 while working in a particularly stressful environment within IT, colleagues would discuss the calming and therapeutic effect that the arts could induce, like painting for example. It was here that Yan decided to look into quilting with two of her friends from church, but she didn’t have the right equipment to be able to sew properly, and she gave up on the idea even though she liked the idea of the process.
Then, once in Kuwait ten years later, the opportunity arose again with Kuwait Textile Art Association (KTAA) and this time Yan could access the tools needed, and she credits a woman called LeAnne from KTAA with kindly helping out in these matters.
Yan explains that quilting is like a sandwich where you have the intricate design that Yan plans, cuts and sews together and then sandwiches with batting between that designed top and the backing. There are three layers, hence the need for a good quality longarm quilting machine, which unlike a regular sewing machine offers a much larger workspace for the larger and bulkier projects.
The very first design Yan created she called “Thirteen Birds.” It was made from Walmart bought materials, and it won first place in the beginners’ category competition at the 2012 KTAA exhibition. This garnered the full support of her husband who said, “Oh, you are somebody, it looks like you can do this and win,” chuckles Yan, justifiably proud of her husband’s belief in her.
When it comes to buying materials in Kuwait, Yan can buy limited items from Souk Al Safat – locally known as the material souk, and Dubai Souk near the National Library and Sadu House. When Yan travels this provides the opportunity to buy other textiles from Europe or raw silks from India, for example, so she’s always on the lookout.
It’s not easy to tell how a fabric will work just by feel, although you can get an idea the more experienced you become. However, Yan insists, “You must run the material through the machine to know how it will respond to quilting.” And it is this dedication to preparation that Yan conscientiously puts in that makes her results so exquisite. She doesn’t shirk the work.
Yan is also an excellent photographer, handy when you get inspiration from everything you see around you. The comparison to the original photograph from her adventures in Iran which inspired “The Potter” is uncanny. The proportions are perfect, these large clay-covered fingers molding a vase out of glistening mud, you can feel the energy in the Iranian artisan’s hands.
When asked where she finds her inspiration Yan expresses that fine art, painting, sculpture and even architecture can be very interesting, “Especially modern architecture that you find in Finland, Sweden and Canada.” This is where her photography helps to capture the scenes which she finds most inspiring.
Yan goes on to describe architecture in Iran and India where religious significance is embodied in their design. It’s fair to say that Yan’s significant global travel profoundly affects her understanding of life around her, appreciating the many years of culture inherent in the surroundings she absorbs, and making sure to visit museums and national galleries wherever she goes.
Another source of subject matter can just be everyday life as Yan sees more than just what can be observed by the naked eye. Hundreds of years of dignified artistry goes into the Persian potter making his vases for example, and she thinks about the generations of experience captured in the moment when she took his photo while he concentrated.
“Who is this potter, how many kids does he have, what else does he do?” Yan asked herself when observing him. It’s his mystery that inspires her. This respectful curiosity is possibly why the work is so stunning, and it’s not surprising that Yan chooses Jenny Bowker when asked if she admires anyone in the textile art world. Jenny is a renowned talent who also depicts real life scenes from her myriad journeys across the globe. A kindred spirit perhaps.
When it comes to the technical and practical details, bazaar can’t imagine how long it must take to create these pieces. Where does one possibly begin? Yan humbly says that it’s just a matter of choosing your colors and materials, and then your shapes and threads too.
But six to eight months of constant commitment at the very minimum to produce one quilt means that it’s not as simple an endeavor as she makes it sound. When Yan describes free motion quilting and thread painting it’s pretty obvious that this is rather complicated and highly skilled craftsmanship.
“Quilting is my life,” answers Yan simply when asked what does quilting mean to her. “This is one way of expressing feelings.” “You’re a visual storyteller,” said someone to her on Facebook. When asked about all the emotions she goes through when completing a project Yan explains, “In the beginning there’s inspiration, passion, excitement, Oh, I’m going to do this!”
But, during a project she describes that there can be impatience, torture and self-doubt as well as the sheer physicality of it all. Eyes can get tired! But when she sees how viewers react upon seeing her quilts in exhibition, the excitement and energy comes back again. It’s an incredible journey, and it is with eagerness that bazaar receives the news that Yan is exploring a new way of producing her textile art, where it’s unplanned like a physical manifestation of jazz, and we can’t wait to see the results.
UP CLOSE & PERSONAL QUESTIONNAIRE
What do you most value about your friends?
Kindness and patience; honesty with integrity; intelligent and adventurous…
Which living person do you most admire?
Jenny Bowker in quilting; Kevin Chen and Jason Chen in ordinary life
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Strong in faith in all circumstances, loving relationships with families and friends, fulfilled personal goals and harmonized humanity in the community
What is your greatest extravagance?
My Bernina sewing machine and fabrics; travel costs
What is your most treasured possession?
Family photos and videos; quilts I made, besides my family
What is your greatest fear?
Loss of freedom and terminal illness
What is your most marked characteristic?
Passionate and impatient
Which talent would you most like to have?
I am greedy – dancing, singing, painting…
What is one trait you have that you are most grateful for?
My Science and Engineering background enables me to create arts with structured framework
What is the human trait you most dislike about others?
Dishonesty and laziness
What is it that you most dislike?
Cockroaches
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Awesome!
What are your favorite words to live by?
Kindness, patience, gentleness and self-control
Where would you most like to live?
Rocky Mountains or Alps
If you could have any job, what would it be?
Stage Actress of Musicals, Restoration Artist
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Giving birth to my two sons and raising them
What do you hope for the future?
Travel the world to have my personal quilt exhibitions, visiting my friends and grandchildren
For enquiries contact Yan through Facebook @liuyan1. Follow Kuwait Textile Art Association on Instagram @kuwaittextileart. All images courtesy of Yan Liu.
