Ingrained – Sashiko (Asa no ha), 2023
Charcoal, washi tape, washi paper on canvas
20" × 20"
Charcoal, washi tape, washi paper on canvas
20" × 20"
Sashiko, meaning "little stabs," is a form of traditional Japanese folk embroidery, worked in simple running stitches to reinforce worn cloth. This pattern is called the asa no ha, the hemp leaf, a symbol of vitality and healthy growth. The pattern is traditionally used for children's clothing with the wish that they would grow as strong as hemp. The figure holds a needle in one hand and a thread in the other, as if she is both bound by the culture and the one passing it forward.