Spotlight: Priscilla Liu-tcheng, 3D Fiber Artist

Priscilla Liu-tcheng was surrounded by creativity growing up. She studied art in college and then took a hiatus from creating. Rediscovering embroidery during the pandemic, she now continues to challenge herself and her skills in creating 3D fiber art.

How did you find yourself on an artist’s path? Was it always there? A lightbulb moment? Dragged kicking and screaming? Evolving?

It was somewhere between always there and a bit of kicking and screaming.

I became interested in exploring different ideas and mediums in high school. We were encouraged to work on our own projects rather than follow a strictly developed curriculum. It was incredibly freeing and a ton of fun!

However, I wasn’t entirely sure art was what I wanted to pursue. I was torn between going to university for music or art. Although I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for post-secondary, I applied to the Alberta College of Art and Design (now AuArts) and was accepted. Without much thought, I didn’t apply to study music and instead started my formal education in art in 2011.

I’m not a naturally talented illustrator, painter, or graphic designer, so it was intimidating to be surrounded by those who were. I knew my strengths were more aligned with 3D work, but it took almost my entire education to figure out exactly where.

During my final year, I discovered my love and passion for soft sculpture. So, yes, there was a lot of kicking and screaming to get me through my BFA!

How has your creativity evolved over the years? What triggered the evolution to new media/kinds of work/ways of working?

After graduating from AuArts in 2015, I stopped creating. At first, it was a much-needed break from the 24/7 cycle of making, reading, learning, thinking, and writing about art. I needed to focus on my personal life, and that break turned into a very long hiatus.

During the pandemic in Spring 2020, I found myself unemployed and decided to try cross stitch. I ordered a kit and completed one project. Shortly after, I adopted my dog and started a new full-time job. It wasn’t until Summer 2022 that I wanted to make a simple gift for a friend celebrating their newborn.

After that, I realized how much I enjoyed embroidery. I began embroidering non-stop, teaching myself textured stitches and stumpwork embroidery. I started exploring the idea of merging my past experience with soft sculpture and my newfound love of embroidery. The rest is history.

When was the first time you remember realizing you are a creative person?

My mother has always been a creative person and a huge inspiration in my problem-solving methods. She encouraged me to draw, paint, and taught me origami, weaving, and braiding. As a seamstress, she did a lot of tailoring for our family, and she taught me how to hand sew and use a sewing machine at a very young age.

How does your environment influence your creativity?

My workspace needs to have a wide supply of materials available. Sometimes, a lightbulb moment strikes, and I need a very small or specific piece of something to make it work. If I spend too much time sourcing materials, I can lose steam.

I also love to be surrounded by artwork and nature. My workspace is full of art from other artists, and I have a little indoor jungle around me too.

What different creative media do you use in your work?

I love soft sculpture and working with any fiber I can get my hands on. Currently, all my work is created with embroidery floss, but I also use mixed media as a canvas. Any 3D artwork I create involves armatures of wire, clay, wood, or other materials.

When it comes to creating, are you more of a planner or an improviser?

A bit of both! I need some sort of visual guideline to start, even if it’s just a little scribble or doodle on a napkin. I can’t spend too much time planning; I love to get started and will improvise and problem-solve as I go along.

How do you manage your creative time? Do you schedule start and stop times or work only when inspired?

I’ve learned that I can’t force myself to create. If I’m feeling uninspired or if something starts to feel like a chore, my work suffers. I tend to rush through things to complete them, which always leaves me disappointed in the result.

I do love working late into the early mornings. I find that my best work is often completed when everyone else in the world is sleeping.

Do you use a sketchbook or journal? How does that help your work develop?

I use a sketchbook that also serves as a journal. It helps me keep all my ideas in one place with enough room to sketch or doodle simple designs. I forget things easily, so having a place to quickly jot down ideas is invaluable.

What plays in the background while you work? Silence? Music, audiobooks, podcasts, movies? If so, what kind?

I always have something on! It’s usually a movie, TV show, audiobook, Twitch streams, YouTube videos, or just music. I love playing my vinyl records and am a huge fan of true crime or thriller content in all forms. I’m currently listening to “A Mother’s Reckoning.” I also enjoy finding a good TV show with a few captivating seasons.

How often do you start a new project? Do you work actively on more than one project at a time?

I try not to! I find that focusing on one project at a time keeps me on track and helps me stay focused on the finish line. However, if I start to feel fatigued or uninspired, I’ll begin a smaller project that excites me to keep the momentum going.

Can you tell us about the inspiration and process of one of your works? How does a new work come about? What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work?

New works stem from my desire to surprise myself and push the limits of what I can create. After finishing something, my first thought is, “Okay, now how do we make it better?” I’m constantly seeking to see if I can find a ceiling for honing my skills. I often see artwork in different media and wonder if I could translate that into fiber art or embroidery.

I’m driven by the challenge of subverting the traditional boundaries of embroidery—whether it’s the hoops they’re displayed in, the 2D vs. 3D elements, or the subject matter.

Which part of the design process is your favorite? Which part is a challenge for you?

I love putting the finishing touches on or bringing together something with multiple pieces. I enjoy leaving things with some room to exist in their space. However, not overworking a piece is challenging for me. I can be a perfectionist, and the constant desire to improve my work can sometimes turn into a struggle to determine when something is truly finished.

Is there an overarching theme that connects all of your work?

My work is currently dedicated to exploring the intricacies of soft sculpture and subverting its traditional boundaries. I’m fascinated by the tactile and visual exploration of fungi, allowing me to delve deeper into mycology and its relationship with life and death.

What (or who) has been your biggest inspiration in keeping your creative energy going?

My partner, Charles. He always supports me in making new work. He’s the first person to see a completed piece and the first person I turn to if I need a second opinion. He’s always honest and understands how my brain works too!

Where can people see your work?

I don’t have any shows coming up right now, so you can find my work online on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syrupstitches/.

Interview posted September 2024