Hai-Wen Lin is an artist whose work transcends boundaries between sculpture, fashion, and kite-making, exploring the connections between the physical body, the mind, and the elements. Lin’s practice is characterized by a deep introspection, described as a process of reorientation—looking back, looking forward, looking in, and looking up.
Using a diverse array of materials, Lin creates vibrant and abstract compositions in textiles, often incorporating cyanotype patterns or natural dyes like indigo and turmeric. The artist’s kites are not just objects of play but also speak the language of clothing, blurring the lines between craft, art, garments, and performance.
Lin’s interest in chance operations, daily life documentation, and relinquishing control can be seen in their work. The artist initially learned to sew as a means of exploring questions of gender identity and later turned to kite-making as a way to embrace openness and freedom, symbolized by the wind. This exploration led Lin to ponder the concept of caring for change and instability through the act of dressing and draping.
Each of Lin’s pieces incorporates a variety of materials and processes, from discarded paintings to different fabrics and jewelry findings. Some works even include experiential elements in their material lists, such as “a burning sensation, a desire to be lost,” adding a poetic and ephemeral dimension to the artworks.
Inspired by Japanese paper kites known as sode dako or “kimono kites,” which resemble traditional robes, Lin’s creations evoke a powerful imagery of the body in flight. The artist’s childhood memories of sending wishes up kite lines with their father further imbue the kites with a sense of aspiration and wish-making, mirroring the aspirations often associated with clothing.
Lin’s kites can be viewed as textile sculptures, apparel, or even as abstract tapestries in exhibition spaces, detached from their outdoor flying context. When worn, they transform into elegant and ethereal garments that drape and shift around the body, blurring the boundaries between art and fashion.
The artist’s ongoing exploration of the dialogue between clothing and weather raises intriguing questions about the relationship between the body and the environment. Lin views clothing as a form of care and considers the act of dressing the weather as a way to reverse and reorient the relationship between the body and the external world.
One of Lin’s notable works, “Two Can Share Heaven,” challenges traditional notions of power and authority by designing a garment for two people, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and shared power. This piece draws inspiration from Chinese dragon robes and symbolizes a collaborative approach to leadership and governance.
Lin’s innovative approach to art and craft has earned them the prestigious Burke Prize from the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York, recognizing their contribution to contemporary craft. Their work will be on display at MAD from February 28 to October 11, with a solo exhibition at the Knoxville Museum of Art in the works. Stay updated on Lin’s latest creations and exhibitions on their Instagram account.
