Crafts

July 4, 2023

Watch a Japanese Artisan Transform a Block of Wood Into a Traditional Japanese Noh Mask

Noh is a traditional Japanese theater art with a legacy that continues today. This form of classical dance-drama has been performed since the 14th century and is still regularly practiced today. It's often based on stories in traditional literature and involves the supernatural, with masks as an integral part of the performance. These wooden masks are artworks in their own right, and artisans work to craft, and ultimately transform, them into characters.

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June 21, 2023

Thousands of Bees Work With Artist on Incredible Embroidery Art

Over the past decade, Toronto-based artist Ava Roth has been making art with some unusual helpers—bees. While it sounds unconventional, this inter-species collaboration explores the relationship between humans and nature. Wooden frames with collages and embroidery are embellished with an abundance of golden honeycomb, highlighting the beauty that can come from this partnership. Roth relies on organic and local materials for these unique pieces, such as foraged wood, birch bark, foliage, and horsehair.

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June 4, 2023

Large Scale Thread Portraits Are Masterfully Embroidered on Tulle

We are accustomed to seeing embroidery made on a small scale, but artist Katerina Marchenko takes this art form and makes it lifesize. Using colorful strands of yarn, she renders massive human portraits on delicate tulle and showcases the endless possibilities this medium has to offer. Marchenko shows how she approaches each piece via her social media.

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May 9, 2023

Woman With Early-Onset Dementia Embroiders What Her Brain Looks Like to Her

When we’re healthy, we don’t have to think about what is failing in our bodies. After all, part of being healthy is not having to constantly consider what is ailing us; everything is working as it should. But when someone is diagnosed with a terminal disease, they have no choice but to consider the part of their body that is in trouble—it can affect every aspect of their life.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.