Yiwen Shen

WITH NATURE

What is Nature, and how do our experiences shape our appreciation of it? Myths reflect ancient understandings of Nature, while personal perceptions capture contemporary interpretations. This work explores the ways in which our understanding of Nature is influenced by personal experiences in different geographies. Shen’s appreciation of Nature has been significantly shaped by Chinese myths and personal encounters with Nature in both China and Finland. With Nature is a textile collection that intertwines the past and present through storytelling. It blends Chinese myths with personal stories and observations, creating a dialogue between ancient beliefs and modern experiences of Nature.

What shapes our appreciation of nature? Yiwen Shen’s textile collection With Nature, centres on her experiences with nature in China and Finland. It draws from Chinese myths and Finnish nature to contrast past and present perspectives on appreciating nature. The MA thesis collection explores how living between Chinese and Finnish cultures has shaped Shen’s perception of nature, and how narrative design brings these experiences together.

– This collection captures the moments when living in another country, surrounded by an unfamiliar culture. Being surrounded by another culture lets me remember and understand my own culture better, especially the myths deep in my memory. In the intersection of two cultures, these experiences make me more aware of cross-cultural similarities and differences.

The collection is organised into three central themes inspired by Chinese myths and Yiwen Shen’s visual diary: Light, Water, and Growth. These themes have consistently captured people’s attention across time and cultures. Comprising nine stories, the collection reflects various views of nature across eras, seasons, and times of day, celebrating its fleeting beauty.

Throughout the creative process, Shen experimented with textile techniques, materials, and hand-drawn patterns to convey her interpretation of each story, enriched with personal observations and emotions. 

– As a designer, I find it inspiring to explore the path of creating rich textures and evoking memories through textiles. Nature is both constant and ever-changing. What truly makes each moment special are the memories we attach to it. In this collection, textiles are not just decoration but also serve as a medium carrying memories that connect people and nature.