WHO
Leong Minyi
WHAT
Designer/ Maker at Mai Textile Studio. Dabbling in natural dyes, shibori, katazome and occasionally, some weaving..
WHEN
2012-2014: Traveled to Japan to study traditional textiles and craft
2015: Preparation for studio
2016: Mai Textile Studio is born.
WHERE
The small sunny island of Singapore.
WHY
I sort of stumbled upon it and was given an opportunity to study traditional textiles and craft in Japan. I had a wonderful teacher who was a great inspiration. With his guidance, I just fell in love with the craft. .
DESCRIBE YOUR PRACTICE IN THREE WORDS:
Blood, Sweat, Blue Hands
WHERE DO YOU GO, OR WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU GET STUCK ON A PROJECT?
I would do something totally unrelated to clear my mind. I could, read, sleep or chill out at a coffee shop with my best friend.
NAME A BOOK YOU THINK EVERY CREATIVE SHOULD READ.
If it is possible to get their hands on a museum publication:
ARAI Junichi: Tradition and Creation (新井淳一の布伝統と創生)
WHAT DESIGN TOOL CAN YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT?
My hands.
WHAT PROJECT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
Every one of them. They are all my babies!
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE CREATIVITY?
Imagination, experiences and emotions.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON CURRENTLY?
I am working on bringing more awareness to the studio.
IF YOU COULD INVITE ANY CREATIVE OUR FOR COFFEE, WHO WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?
My teacher who is living in Japan. Without him, the studio probably wouldn’t exist and I wouldn’t have found my passion. It has been quite some time and I would love to catch up with him over coffee, good dark chocolate and maybe some dyeing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE CITY YOU LIVE IN?
Food!