Get to know local artist Teresa Lim
Chances are, you’ve come across her quirky illustrations and awe-inspiring embroidery art pieces while scrolling through your Instagram feed. Now meet the talent artist behind them. Gifted with an undeniable eye for beauty and whimsy, Teresa Lim seeks to blur the boundaries between illustration and textile design. Read on for her chat with CATALOG on how she got started and what keeps her inspired.
Hi Teresa, tell us about yourself and your work.
I’m a freelance textile designer/illustrator and I’ve worked with local and international clients. In my free time, I like to do embroidery. I am inspired by music, books and girls. I also really hate vegetables, except corn. Corn is nice.
We love your Sew Wanderlust series, which incorporates embroidery with travel. What sparked the idea and how has the journey been?
It started in Perth last year when I wanted to take a photo of a sunset by the beach, but my phone conked out. Since I had my thread supplies with me, the only thing that made sense was to capture it with what I had. I realised I really enjoyed the process because visually, my eyes took in so much more information than if I were just snapping a photo of it. When I embroider a scene live, I am completely present with my five senses and that feeling is really something. This series started out as a small hobby, but I was really encouraged when various publications wrote about it.
Social media has a huge impact on society these days. How has it benefitted you and your work?
I feel that it has made the world a smaller place. Even though I’m in Singapore, I get viewers and followers from all over the world and that takes my work out to a larger audience too. I’ve also made friends through Instagram and it’s a nice community especially when you meet people who like the same things.
What are some of the most rewarding and challenging situations you’ve experienced?
It’s most rewarding when I’m finished with something and I look at it and go, “Yes! I like it”, and it really makes me happy because this doesn’t happen often. Sometimes when I am midway or I complete a piece, some part of me doesn’t like it; maybe because of the colour or a certain line, or just the overall feel, and it gets depressing. Most of the time I destroy these pieces and start over again.
Head here to read the entire interview in CATALOG issue #128.
Source: Catalog magazine feed