After Kandinsky by Margaret Lee

These are not describing words you might typically associate with bead embroidery.

Yet thanks to the bold, diverse and very adventurous approach Margaret Lee takes to her work, that’s exactly what she has given us with her piece, After Kandinsky.

Margaret shared with us some of the back story to this stunning project:

‘The question has always been asked if Japanese embroidery or Japanese-style bead embroidery can be used for geometric designs. The answer is an emphatic ‘yes’ as many traditional wagara patterns are geometrically created.’

‘What about more modern geometric patterns? As a matter of fact, Japanese textile designs were influenced by the Western Art Deco movement of the 1920s to early 1930s.

The geometric designs of the period were incorporated onto obi and kimono and even transferred to other accessories such as collars, combs and hairpins.’

‘This project demonstrates that geometric designs are certainly compatible with Japanese-style bead embroidery.

I have titled the project After Kandinsky in recognition of the borrowed design concept from the pioneer of abstraction in Western art.’

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how we have been gifted this extraordinary evening clutch bag with irresistible geometric designs inspired by the art of Wassily Kandinsky.

The finished purse measures 14.5cm x 24cm wide (5 3⁄8″ x 9 1⁄2″) and for those thinking of purchasing a kit, when you see this statement piece of embroidered art in person, it really is nothing short of remarkable and well worth the investment.

Thank you, Margaret, for continually pushing the boundaries of needlework and creating this embroidered fashion masterpiece.

Make Your Own After Kandinsky

All the materials you need to re-create this project have been sourced for you in our Ready-to-Stitch kit, with the instructions available separately in the book The Art of Bead Embroidery Japanese-Style 2.