Meet the Artist

Born on the island of Dongyin, Taiwan’s northernmost territory characterized by a unique wartime sentiment and underdevelopment, Mei Lin Lin grew up in a family deemed poor even among a community living more or less in hardship at the time. Her love for “handmade” and “creation” can find its roots in an ingenious mother who sew clothes for her kids. Under her influence, during school breaks when trips to the Taiwan main island were unaffordable, the seemingly endless days were spent on dressing up dolls while the vague outline of a dream to be pursued was taking shape.

Going to nursing school and becoming a medical professional was a logical and sensible career choice, but that’s all. Instead, an unexpected door opened itself when the love for travel led to photography and photography to art. Signing up for class after class in paining was just a matter of course.

After spending one year in the UK with her husband, Mei Lin Lin found it impossible to return to her old life. She started exploring and dabbling in different creative fields until she happened upon wet felting. A passion and calling was found.

Mei Lin Lin believes art is creating what you love and then wait for those who also love and appreciate them. It is never a way to please nor to appeal. Even when making statues, she tends not to use people in real life as models. The process, conversely, is more like child-bearing. Through constant iteration with materials and negotiation with ideas, the work will acquire a face of its own.

Artist CV

2023: Matsu Biennial “Guardian・Searchlights Afar”
2023: First Solo Exhibition “Known・Unknown” held at hometown Dongyin
2022: Carrier of Memories” series shortlisted in Taitung Craft Design Award 2022
2020: Participated in Mimizan Workshop Group Exhibition – Voyage
2020: Featured in BLTV Super Artist interview (in Chinese; watch)
2019: Participated in Mimizan Workshop Group Exhibition – Élégant
2018: Participated in Mimizan Workshop Group Exhibition – Mimizan in Maison
2017: “Timeless” series awarded Judge’s Award – The 1st Fiber Creation Award by MOFiA, Taichung
2016: Artist in Residence of The Pier2 Art Center in Kaohsiung
2016: Offered wet felting workshops in Hong Kong by invitation of KPC
2015: “Travel Bag” series included in Worldwide colors of felt（by colorsofellen)
2014: Helped found the brand SHANGDROK
2013: Published Felt in Love with Kiss-Lock Clasp (in Chinese; Cite Publishing Ltd.)
2012: Creative Award – The 11th Creative Bags Design Award by The Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA