Exploring more underrated forms of art, QUAKE looked into three talented illustrative rug-makers and spoke to them about how they discovered the art form and what inspires them.

Via Sophie Howard, QUAKE art features editor

IOI CHEN

TAICHUNG CITY - TAIWAN

I started using punch needle about one year ago. I love graphic design and illustration, and punch needle opened a new door for me, to now, where I have a good amount of creations on this platform.

What inspires you?

My ideas come from my daily thoughts, and I build them together into interesting graphics. For some I use wool, threads for the texture and some I add in a touch of crayon, or choreography style. There will still be more creations that you can expect from me, and hopefully, you will find one that suits you best.

@ioioimxmx_

KATYA ROGERS

LONDON

I started rug making in my second year of uni; it was something that just made sense, it just clicked. I wanted to make large scale work and the idea of creating a piece that was tactile and could be folded, distorted, presented on the floor or the wall also appealed to me. I gathered a lot of my inspiration from the interior and my previous interests in textile and craft also played a part in the decision to start rugmaking.

What inspires you?

My studio space is based in the Isle of Dogs and recently I've noticed visual elements from my DLR journey/walk to get there creeping into my work. I love the strange dystopian feel of Canary Wharf with the maze-like grids of glass buildings next to stretches of water. Another constant source of inspiration.

My advice to other artists would be to trust the process. Don’t force anything and remember that there is so much time ahead of you; there’s no rush to have things figured out now. I think especially now with the constant presence of social media there is a pressure to have a set style immediately, however I have come to realise that having interests and curiosity is more important as it creates a foundation for you to find your style. As long as you keep making work and exploring what you are interested in your natural and unique visual voice will develop.

@katya_rogers

LlINOS OWEN

NORTH WALES

I started to create rugs during the first lockdown. I was finishing my art degree from home in North Wales without a studio space and I really wanted to explore textile art further within my practice, which was mostly linocut printmaking and hand embroidery at the time. I bought a punch needle in May 2020 and have been creating rugs since! 

My work often explores the female figure through the mediums of rug hooking and hand embroidery to create tapestries inspired by the themes of identity, autobiography and storytelling. My work also often references my Welsh heritage and influential life experiences which are inspired by personal imagery and writing such as photographs and diary entries. 

Identity and gender are also important themes within my practice as the materials and techniques I explore acknowledges the history of feminine identities by focusing on a historically women dominated craft, which blurs the lines between the domestic, the mundane and the gallery space. 

What inspires you?

My practice is very much inspired by my identity, my environment, my memories and personal influential moments. I keep a diary to note different moments, good and bad and my writings definitely focuses a lot on my emotion and my environment. I then go back to my diary and create works inspired by a sentence I’ve written, sometimes just a word, a poem or just a doodle. It’s funny because I’ve been doing this all my life as it really helps me deal with anxiety, it’s definitely a form of meditation but I’ve only recently realised how important and prominent this process is to my art practice.

@lliinos