VANESSA CHOW

Vanessa Chow's studio practice is intentionally low-tech, human-scale, and rooted in slowness. Drawing inspiration from agricultural rhythms, her work reflects the cadence of daily life. In this series, she primarily uses hand embroidery—needle and thread on indigo-dyed cotton fabric. Many of the threads are dyed with plants grown in her own garden, making the creative process begin—quite literally—with planting a seed.

Her art evolves alongside her roles as a mother, gardener, and ocean lover. The portable nature of her practice allows her to create anywhere: on planes, in cars, at the dinner table, or beside a soccer field. In this way, the boundaries between art, caregiving, and routine are intentionally blurred.

The imagery in each piece is informed by vivid encounters with the natural world—such as discovering abalone shells on the Mendocino coast, swimming in the bioluminescent waters of the Santa Monica Bay, or weathering a wild typhoon in Hong Kong. Her practice is as much about making as it is about noticing—slowing down, engaging deeply with materials, and honoring the interconnectedness of land, body, and memory. Through the tactile language of thread and fabric, she explores themes of care, presence, and place.