After winning the Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers Associate Award at the Hand and Lock prize for embroidery, we caught up with Cher Liu, one of our second year Professional Embroidery Tutor Programme students. Read on to find out more about Cher!

Do you come from a stitching background?

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Melbourne, majoring in Urban Design and Planning & Landscape Architecture. I then pursued my master’s degree in Art Curating at RMIT. So, I don’t have a background directly related to hand embroidery.

What made you join the Professional Embroidery Tutor Programme?

Embroidery has always been a hobby of mine. During the weekend, I would buy kits and follow online tutorials to self-learn. During COVID, I finally had plenty of time to stay at home and focus on embroidery, and that was when I decided to pursue it professionally. I then enrolled in this course, and even relocated to the UK for it.

How have you found your first year?

The first year was exactly the kind of life I had dreamed of. Every day was filled with embroidery, brainstorming, and doing research on the history of embroidery. Although the schedule was quite full, each day felt very fulfilling. I feel that the first year of study has improved my embroidery techniques far beyond what I had expected.

What has been your favourite technique so far?

I really enjoy Goldwork and Appliqué, two techniques I had never worked with before. My personal style leans toward creating innovation based on traditional methods, and these two techniques are excellent for blending traditional and contemporary art.

What are you looking forward to in your next two years?

To learning more traditional techniques and exploring the possibilities of combining embroidery with other forms of craftsmanship.