We’ve been spellbound by Teresa Lim’s series of live-embroidered scenes called Sew Wanderlust – an ongoing collection of embroidered landscapes, documented on-site while exploring the world.
Teresa explains, “I started the project late 2014 after I realised that with today’s state of the art technology, taking pictures becomes so easy. I wanted something more from my travels, to be able to take back a part of that place with me. When I’m done with a piece, I actually feel like I KNOW that place, and that gives me a huge sense of satisfaction that I think just taking a photo wouldn’t give.” We chatted with Teresa to learn more about what goes on behind the needlepoint.
Some of the pieces in your Sew Wanderlust series capture famous sites while others are of lesser known scenic places. What is it that moves you to capture a certain place?
I honestly don’t know. I feel the energy of a certain place and if the energy is stronger and I feel connected with the place, I would want to capture it. True, some places that I captured are famous sites like Big Ben, but some are just random like the back of my grandmother’s house in Germany with the sheeps. As random as the places are, there is something about their energy that makes me want to capture it forever.
How long on average do you work on a piece?
Roughly 2 hours.
If you could embroider anywhere in the world, what would your top 5 ultimate destinations be?
The northern lights in Iceland, Maldives, Mongolia, Brazil and Bikini Bottom (SpongeBob SquarePant’s hometown).
We’ve heard you say you draw some interesting inspiration such as lonely pebbles or a little girl throwing a tantrum. What, on this day and this moment in time, inspires you the most?
Persephone [Goddess of the Underworld, springtime, vegetation, and maidenhood] inspires me at this very moment, I read about her in the bookstore today. My greatest source of inspirations are: Marlene Dumas, Yoko Ono and V.C Andrews.
You’re previous projects have been in the realm of textiles and illustration. Where do you see your focus going in the future?
I have no idea, I really like to just ride with the tide.
On that note, if you had all the money in the world to put into one project, what kind of magical thing would you create with it?
I would want to start a business or a little quirky shop that has beautiful bright colourful fabrics and quaint stuff and clothes and books that has an underlying theme of body positivity/gender equality.
Check out Teresa on The Makers Nation Instagram this week! She’s taking over from the 6-10th of April.
To learn more about her projects you can find more on her website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook