Page 86 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

AJourney Through Textiles Embroidery And Deep Time
Dianna Frid discusses her artistic practice, highlighting sewing, materials, and bilingua- lism to explore themes of language, deep time, feminine legacies, and the powerful interplay between craft and fine art.
“Sewing text is, above all, a way to spend time with words, slowly.
communication, using sewing, gold, graphite, and even rocks in ways that transcend traditional notions of craft and art. Her practice challenges distinctions, embrac- es cultural histories, and speaks directly to our shared humanity.
Weaves Time Language And
Materials Into
DTransformative Works
As told to Noah Davis
ianna Frid’s work invites us into an extraor- dinary world where language, materials,
and time converge with depth and elegance. Through her artist’s books and mixed-media creations, Frid explores the tactile essence of
Born in the vibrant textures of Mexico City and shaped by her journey to Canada and beyond, Frid has cultivated a profound understanding of how materials hold stories and meanings. Her art blends analytical thought with a palpable sensuality, uncovering the rhythms of language and the layers of deep time that shape our existence. With each stitch or inscription, she transforms the ep- hemeral into the enduring, reminding us of the beauty in process, material, and the echoes of forgotten histories.
86 II NOVeLIST POST
DIANNA FRID
In this insightful interview, Dianna Frid shares her journey— from the rhythmic sounds of her grandfather’s tailor workshop
to her own exploration of embroidery as a way to intertwine legibi- lity, memory, and narrative. Frid offers a compelling perspective on the interplay between craft and fine art, the feminist legacies she draws from, and the enduring power of materials to inspire humility, wonder, and connection. Her generous and thoughtful reflections will inspire both artists and admirers alike.
Can you describe how your upbringing in Mexico and your early exposure to textiles influenced your artistic practice and the themes you explore in your work?
My maternal grandfather immigrated to Mexico City from Rumania just before World War II. As a refugee in Mexico, he