My mom’s macrame is my constant inspiration for the cozy home feeling that I want my art to feel. This is her first ever piece and we are very lucky to have it. I’ve been thinking if my mom’s macraming talent and my art come from our aboriginal root. Only in recent years, I feel prouder than ever to tell people my grandma is an Atayal and I’m 1/4 Atayal. I also noticed my mom and I have a strong connection with nature, especially the mountains.

Atayal is one of Taiwan’s 16 recognized indigenous tribes. In the past, women had to master weaving to earn her facial tattoos so she could get married. Boys would earn their tattoos by proving their worth to the tribe in hunting and even headhunting between the ages of 5-15. The face tattooing is an coming-of-age ceremony for tribal recognition so you can identify people from different tribes. It’s also an important means to have an afterlife to be protected by ancestors. The women’s tattoos are far more intricate than men’s and can take up to 10 hours. I think because it also symbolizes beauty. While there’s deep meanings and spirit behind facial tattooing, it began to vanish during Japanese colonial time. Like all other colonial places, the aboriginal’s customs are often regarded as uncivilised, barbarian and savage and must be gotten rid of. The Japanese changed aborignal’s names to Japanese and banned facial tatooing. The Republic of China government changed the name again into Chinese and wrote aboriginal’s history from their perspective. Maybe it was the DW documentary called “Human Zoos” that made me think about our aboriginal roots. Maybe it’s this art journey that made me want to find out who I am and what my art is. I’m no way talented in macrame like my mom but it’s our connection with this land that brings us a sense of belonging.

Mom’s macrame

My constant cozy vibe inspiration