Pineapple – Tainung 17

Artist Statement

Sonja, a Taiwanese artist, has been passionate about handcrafts since childhood. She graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University with a degree in Textiles and earned a master’s in Fashion Design from the Istituto Europeo di Design in Milan. While working as a designer in Hong Kong, she met a teacher from the Royal School of Needlework (RSN), sparking her deep interest in embroidery.

In 2018, Sonja began the RSN Certificate & Diploma program, specializing in embroidery, and apprenticed under master Lin Yu-Quan in Taiwan, where she honed her skills in traditional three-dimensional embroidery. In 2024, she graduated top of her class from the RSN program. Experienced in crewelwork, goldwork, and French embroidery, Sonja blends Eastern and Western traditions, creating works that celebrate cultural heritage through innovative artistry.

This pineapple embroidery was inspired by the pineapple fields Sonja often passes during her hikes in Taiwan. Pineapples, an integral part of her memories of home, are a common presence in Taiwanese life and have influenced her connection to the land. Throughout the year-long creative journey, she frequently paused to search for and reflect on materials, experimenting with ways to capture the intricate texture and vibrant essence of the pineapple through embroidery. Using multi-layered techniques, the piece highlights the vitality of the pineapple leaves and the fruit’s vivid colors. For Sonja, it is more than just embroidery—it is a heartfelt tribute to her love for and memories of home.