Autumn -- by Lin Hsin-Chen

Leaves on the trees tell us that autumn is here when they turn from green to red! Autumn leaves are rich in color and beauty, and they are the best metaphors for our middle-aged life. How beautiful they are when trees are dyed in vibrant red and orange colors and life is like a rainbow. Autumn is short, but the most beautiful time of a leaf is even shorter. The red autumn color is what a leaf has spent its entire life to become. When a leaf is running out of energy, as wind blows gently, it falls to the ground and become a dead one. A leaf's life is over, and it stays on the ground and becomes dust. It’s the life cycle of Nature. I like autumn very much, but the beautiful natural scenery is always short. It reminds us to cherish every moment.

I picked up 3 fresh leaves during a walk, and got along with them day and night, from inspiration to completion. They aroused my curiosity, and therefore I created this work. Change of seasons, the birth, aging, sickness and death of a leaf is really like an epitome of life. It is indescribable. I am grateful for the philosophy of life taught by leaves during the creative process. I finish hand sewing the work and reveal it after 45 days of learning. I am grateful for what I have gained.

Size: W 104 x H 104 (cm) / W 41” x H 41”

Materials: recycled fabrics, printmaking wiping fabrics (tarlatan and polyester), artist’s dyed fabrics, commercial cotton prints, satin, lace, gauze, Romanian thread

Techniques: hand stitched, hand pieced, hand appliquéd, hand quilted