YiMiao Shih: Contemporary Embroidery-Drawing

YiMiao Shih is a London-based interdisciplinary artist and educator who has pioneered a unique artistic style known as 'embroidery-drawing.' Born in Taiwan in 1985, she holds a Master of Arts in Visual Communication from the Royal College of Art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Art from National Taiwan Normal University. Currently serving as a Lecturer at the London College of Communication, YiMiao Shih focuses her practice on material exploration, bridging the gap between traditional textiles and expanded drawing practices. Her work is characterized by its sharp wit and satirical approach to contemporary cultural and social issues. One of her most notable projects, 'Rabbrexit Means Rabbrexit,' utilized mixed media and embroidery to explore the fragmentation of societal bonds following Brexit. YiMiao Shih employs domestic sewing machines and hand-stitching to mimic the gesture and energy of hand-drawn marks, creating stitched images that often appear as paintings from a distance. Her recent installations, such as 'Pocket Fever' and 'Surface Value,' delve into themes of urban housing, the sense of belonging, and the fluidity of 'home' in modern cities. Her work has been exhibited at prestigious venues including the Royal Academy of Arts, Saatchi Gallery, and the London Transport Museum. Through her practice, YiMiao Shih continues to push the boundaries of illustration by merging fine art techniques with a keen eye for the mundane and the political.