Sometimes, stepping outside your comfort zone can open up unexpected doors of inspiration. Recently, I had the joy of joining an eco-bundling and natural dye workshop at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) in Austin—a hands-on, community-driven event led by artist Irene June Chau.
This wasn’t something I’d normally sign up for. I went in with no expectations, simply curious to try something different. What unfolded was a meaningful, creative experience that’s stayed with me long after the day ended.
Why I Signed Up: Following Curiosity
The theme of identity and belonging drew me in. It’s something I explore in my own work, though through a very different lens. I felt curious walking in. I believe living a life with curiosity keeps us open-minded and ready for new, unexpected experiences.
And it was exciting to work with turmeric—a material I have in abundance in my kitchen and strongly associate with my Indian heritage. That connection made the process feel even more personal.
The Process: Trusting the Unexpected
During the workshop, we dyed fabric squares using turmeric. Then, we created patterns with soaked rice mixed with food colouring. These designs were bundled up tightly and steamed—allowing the colours to transfer organically onto the fabric.
I especially enjoyed the act of creating the patterns, then letting go. Once bundled, the outcome was out of my hands. It felt freeing to trust the process without attachment to a specific result. The patterns turned out softer and less distinct than I imagined, which reminded me that sometimes simplicity works best.
A Small Piece of a Bigger Quilt
It was humbling to contribute a single square to a much larger community quilt. I’m eager to see how it all comes together—with squares created by so many different hands using a variety of techniques. The diversity of approaches will no doubt create something truly beautiful and layered.
Themes That Resonated
I really appreciated how Irene encouraged us to reflect on themes like identity, healing, and diasporic reconciliation. These ideas resonated with me in a new way through this process. I also admired how Irene’s own long artistic journey has explored these themes deeply over time.
Inspired for the Future
This experience sparked my curiosity to work with textiles again. I grew up sewing, embroidering, and exploring textile warehouses—textiles feel like they’re in my blood, given my family’s history in tailoring. I’m now inspired to look into traditional textile techniques from India and Korea. We’ll see where this curiosity leads!
Final Thoughts
If you’re in Austin, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for workshops at the AARC. It’s a wonderful way to experiment, connect, and contribute to meaningful community art.
👉 I’ll share photos of my fabric square and the finished community quilt as it comes together—follow me on Instagram to see more!
