Regina Yuching Lin
Regina Yuching Lin, an independent research-based translator, curator and writer based in Taipei, Taiwan. Her book and exhibition projects usually involve issues of politics, culture, history and society across Asian regions. In terms of artistic practices, Yuching’s passion is mainly about craft and sees it as the creative influx of human and natural forces, of historical heritage and contemporary flair, of political symbol and economic impact, of the made and makers. Unearthing muffled voices and stirring existent views have always been at the core of her approaches.
With degrees in Journalism, Oriental Studies and International Relations, before turning freelancing, Yuching has accumulated a wide range of international experiences including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Garden of Hope Foundation, International Federation of Red Cross-Americas and Taiwan’s NGO alliance for UN convention on eliminating violence against women.
- Location USA / Vermont
- Year of the Grant 2020
- Residency Vermont Studio Center
- Work The Quietest Noises: Stitching, Weaving and Embroidering in Conflicts, Oppressions and Forced Migration
"The Quietest Noises: Stitching, Weaving and Embroidering in Conflicts, Oppressions and Forced Migration", is a non-fiction research and writing project about textile crafts outside museum collections and the stories behind the communities that created them. It is crucial to this project to engage and interview key community members as well as to access textile collections and other references within the communities. The reason for my application for the residency program at the Vermont Studio Center (VSC) lies in the fact that the United States has been the major recipient country for refugees and forced migrants after World War II. Moreover, the Hmongs, one of the main targets in this project, is among those groups received and resettled by the US starting the 1980s.
During the 3 week residency program at the Vermont Studio Center (VSC), every Tuesday evening was reserved for 10 minute presentations by all resident artists and writers. Open studio day took place in the final Thursday evening, allowing residents to showcase their works to local community members, art enthusiasts, and cultural professionals.
On the open studio day, I put on a mini archival exhibit about the Chilean textile, "arpillera," and its connection with Pinochet dictatorship on the walls of my tiny writing studio. With photos and words collected from the previous field trip, I showcased a tiny bit of the stories I was writing and met enthusiastic responses from visitors asking for more details.
While VSC offers residency programs ranging from 3 to 5 weeks, priority is given to artists who’s participation were postponed due to the pandemic (at the time of submitting this report). As a result, most artists stay for the same 3 weeks. Through providing 3 meals a day at fixed hours (mind your clock or miss your food) the center fosters a connected fellowship among peers. As my writing takes in both archival research and visual materials, I found it quite helpful to meet and interact with fellow artists.
Author: Regina Yuching Lin
Edited: Brix