Longevity Fibre Art with Leather

Renewal in Every Stitch:

Alicia Chow Kirwan’s Fibre Art Journey

Immerse yourself in the creative journey of Alicia Chow Kirwan, fibre artist and founder of Beeyarnd (@beeyarnd | www.beeyarnd.co), where every stitch holds intention and breathes with passion. What began as a quiet search for renewal blossomed into a tapestry that delicately balances the threads of tradition and innovation.

In this exclusive interview, Alicia shares how she crafted a vibrant and meaningful series for Bynd Artisan’s 10 Years and Beyond (10YAB) collection, inspired by the beauty of endurance. She explains how each piece symbolises the graceful strength found in life’s ever-changing seasons, reflecting resilience, growth, and the delicate balance between tradition and innovation.

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Can you give us a short self-introduction?
Hi, I am Alicia Chow Kirwan. I am a fibre artist and brand owner of Beeyarnd.

Tell us about your journey. What inspired you to pursue fibre art, and how does creating this craft resonate with you?
My journey into fibre art began during a time in my life when I felt burnt out from the long hours of working as a food stylist. I wanted to find an outlet that would reignite my passion and allow me to create freely, without limitations. It was then that I discovered fibre art, particularly latch hooking, a traditional technique used to make rugs. I fell in love with it instantaneously.

I took a latch-hooking course from a Spanish artist online. It was a short, five-session course, all in Spanish, so I relied on the artist’s body language to learn, repeating the process over and over until I became comfortable with the technique. In that sense, I would say it was a self-taught experience. This happened during the circuit-breaker period, so I had ample time to learn something new. Looking back, I can see the silver lining of that time, as it allowed me to master this skill and develop my own style.

I chose fibre art as my main practice because I find the material absolutely fascinating. Yarn, in particular, has an inherent softness that brings a sense of soothing comfort to people. I think we often instinctively reach out to touch something soft because it connects with us on a sensory level, almost like yarn is communicating with us. Yarn is also incredibly versatile and comes in a wide variety of colours that it allows me to create different textures and combine them with everyday materials.

What is the underlying meaning, theme, or inspiration behind the piece you crafted for “10YAB”?
I created these fibre pieces for Bynd Artisan’s 10th Anniversary, inspired by the concept of longevity. Reaching the 10-year mark is a testament to a journey full of ups and downs, and these art pieces symbolise renewal and enduring qualities, celebrating the way that the brand has dedicated 10 years to craftsmanship and artisanal experience, sustaining the business through different seasons of life.

The pieces also reflect longevity as a journey of highs and lows. The mountains, cascading waterfalls, and a forest of tall pine trees in the artworks represent renewal and resilience. These pieces differ from the work typically seen at Beeyarnd. Most people recognise Beeyarnd for my use of soft, soothing pastel colours, but this year, I wanted to challenge myself with bolder, more powerful colour palettes.

This choice really enhances the textures of the yarn, and when Bynd Artisan invited me to create these pieces, the concept resonated deeply with me. Working with their leather also brought everything together beautifully. I wove the leather to mimic shapes like mountains, seamlessly integrating it within the yarn textures, which elevates the fibre art by adding more texture and structure.

What message or feeling do you hope people take away when they see or use your fibre art pieces, especially the one crafted for “10YAB”?
Bold colours bring vibrancy and energy into our lives. Creating these pieces by hand, instead of machines, is something I hope people will appreciate in an increasingly tech-driven world. I believe preserving traditional methods of craftsmanship is especially important in this fast-paced and ever-changing world.

It’s always good to find hope in various seasons of our lives. Whether it's 10 years or 20 years, there will always be ups and downs, but how we embrace these seasons and see them as opportunities for renewal and growth is key. I hope my artwork conveys this message, encouraging viewers to move forward with strength and resilience.

Discover Beeyarnd’s Fibre Art in person