Taiwanese artist Wen-Jen Deng Used painted embroidery and stitched soft sculpture to forge a language of cultural geography and history. Worteld in the cultural landscape of Taiwan and informed by field research and residences around the world, her work is based on indigenous motifs, food culture and deep historical truth to create textile stories of place and connectedness. By hand painted substances and wire, Deng maps a visual world formed by ecological observation and cultural circulation. Her ‘silent feminism’ comes to the fore due to material intimacy fiber art as an essential medium for self-expression and placing it firmly in the mainstream of contemporary art history.
From 6 to 28 June the work of Deng can be seen in the Tenri Cultural Institute of Manhattan in the exhibition The Embedded Stitch – Contemporary Fiber Art from Taiwan. The title of the show gets inspiration The subversive stitch (1984) By the British art historian Rozsika Parker, whose influential study investigated the historical relationship between women and embroidery, often seen as domestic, feminine and passive. Deng, on the other hand, uses embroidery and textiles in her practice to create a lively, dynamic expression of contemporary Taiwanese identity. For more than 20 years she has developed a clear work that visualizes the diversity and hybridity of the cultural landscape of Taiwan. Although her art is not directly concerned with the traditional feminist discourse, it reflects its deep involvement in the indigenous Taiwanese cultures and the layered colonial history of the country. Her works investigate questions about identity, connectedness and cultural memory through the lens of material and craft.
In 2024, Deng held a residence on Governors Island in New York, where she started with a topographical concept and it was with Indigo dye, soft objects and stitches that represent the history and culture of the island. In her words: “I spent a short month in New York last year and felt that it is such a lively city – everyone seemed to wear a smile on their faces. Perhaps it is because immigrants from all over the world form the majority of the inhabitants of New York? The Big Apple is both nutritious and delicious!”
The embedded stitchCompiled by Ming Tuner and Luchia Meihua Lee, presents a selection of Deng’s fiber -based artworks and offers viewers a poetic, layered story that bridges tradition and innovation, local knowledge and global dialogue. The show can be seen from 6 to 28 June to the Schri Cultural Institute In New York City.
Program
- Panel discussion: Friday, June 6, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
- With art critic Allison C. Meier, curator Irene Georgia Tsatsos, and learned Thomas Van Dyke in Dialogue with The embedded stitch Artist and curators
- Opening reception: Friday, June 6, 6 pm – 8 pm
- Artist & Curator Talk and Exhibition Tour: Thursday, June 12, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Visit for more information Taac-s.org or Dengwenjen.wixstudio.com.
This exhibition is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan; and T-Content plan, and is co-organized by the Taiwanese American Arts Council.
