Year End // Year Begin
Anyone familiar with famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright has undoubtedly felt the effect of his signature compression-and-release design ethos. Similar to the tension and resolve of a compelling narrative, Wright's works often involved introducing the viewer through a crouched archway or tight quarters before opening up to a grand entryway or living room. Walking through a singular building may involve another series of compress-and-release cycles. Through its cycles, one is able to both tolerate the claustrophobic quarters and simultaneously appreciate the breath of air release affords.
Compression and release are the words I'd use to retroactively describe my 2025. Cycles of grounding and expanding.
grounding
In 2025, I began the year driving across the US to start a new life on the east coast, subsequently moved between three different "home bases" (plus a bonus month! in Europe), before moving into our first long-term apartment lease in over two years. I've spent the past three months packing, shipping, unpacking, moving, rearranging, hanging, cleaning, organizing. It was the most effort I've put into grounding myself into a home in some time now, but I can say I am ever happier for it.
Every time I wake up and it's subfreezing (is that a thing? because it feels like it should be) and snowing out, I appreciate how lucky I am to (1) work from home and (2) have such a lovely home.
expanding
2025 was also the year of a couple of more exciting firsts:
My first artist residency, done in collaboration with my cousin and writer Mico, at the Ox-Bow School of Art and Artist Residency
My first creative retreat, hosted by the incredible Courtney of The Sewcial Connection in Tokyo, Japan
Traveling (near and far) to spend uninterrupted, expansive time with the creatives at Ox-Bow (six other visual artists and a dozen or so writers) and with the other sewing ladies in Japan was the greatest gift to myself.
At Ox-Bow, I embraced the spirit of the "hold space" retreat by letting the work evolve on its own time frame, contrary to my typical plan-oriented practice at home. I also had the opportunity to be surrounded by other impressive creatives whose work pushed me in professional and creative ways.
My first solo international trip in five years, the Tokyo Creative Retreat with The Sewcial Connection was a trip to remember and cherish (and I will in the most materialistic way, almost 20 kilos of fabric). I met and learned from some incredible local artisans and took in the artful way of life in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.
By the end of the year, my world had both come back down to earth in our new home in Chicago and expanded, shifting my perspective of myself as an artist and creative. Entering 2026, I spent the past month contemplating resolutions/new year goals/guiding principles/however you call them and decided on an overarching theme, with two objectives, each supported by two key results. In the corporate world, this is known as the OKR framework—sometimes (or often) dreaded, depending on the workplace—and it's a brilliant system tbh.
taking risks; being open to where they lead (...or don't)
Objective 1: Embrace experimentation and play in my practice
Key Result: Start and finish 1-3 projects in each of my 3 new materials/techniques
Key Result: 1+ project with complete toile/muslin/fitting/repeat process
I have a confession to make: when it comes to projects or tasks, I lean more toward enjoying completing them than enjoying making or doing them. When I plan a garment sewing project, I often envision the design I have in mind (leaning on some strong visualization skills) throughout the process, a driving force pushing me to complete it, somewhat automatically, always according to plan.
This year, I want to push myself creatively in trying three new techniques/processes, starting and finishing at least one in each category*. I also want to do at least one project with a complete toiling/muslin + fitting and repeat process—something I often avoid, though I know it's critical to refining and developing ideas.
*and ofc I'm allowing myself to do other projects too!
Objective 2: Do the work to take the work more seriously
Key Result: Submit to 1 show/month (local or physical exhibit)
Key Result: Choose a source of inspiration each month to reflect and write on
The second objective to Taking Risks is the more serious side of the work: strengthening the conceptual, professional, artistic. I want to push myself to take risks in applying or contributing to local or physical art shows/collaborations/popups—opportunities to showcase my work in my community and putting myself out there!
Secondly, to take the work more seriously, I'm going to motivate myself to write more, at least once a month, about a source of inspiration that has stuck with me (artist, film, exhibition, work, phenomenon). I've already compiled a shortlist for this month's so far—to be released in a future post.
This might literally be the first time I've written down "goals" for the new year. I'm hoping that by publishing this, I can stay accountable to myself and to my commitment to the work, an ongoing journey.