Artist Spotlight - Agatha Lee, Singapore
- DEA
- May 23
- 4 min read
Updated: May 23
"Through my textiles, I invite viewers to pause and appreciate the subtle beauty and intricate details of nature—encouraging mindfulness and a renewed sense of care for not just yourself, but the world around us."
Agatha ‘Agy’ Lee is a textile artist and educator based in Singapore. She delicately portrays nature's fragility in her work, inviting her audience to slow down and reconnect with the art of observation. Using free-motion embroidery and hand stitch, she weaves threads to capture the "invisible" wonders of nature like corals, weeds, and moss. These pieces are a reflection of her surroundings, breathing life into the beauty and challenges faced by our environment today. In her first solo exhibition, “Hues of Loss” 2023, Agy's textile-based creations shed light on the alarming decline of coral reefs, highlighting the urgent need for action.
Beyond her art, Agy conducts regular talk and workshops on textile art techniques and is an active member of Mama on Palette, Society for Embroidery Work, and Fertile Art Refinery Singapore. Her work has been featured in Patchwork Professional, Tatler Singapore, Her World, and The Straits Times Singapore.
Dea: What do textiles mean to you?
Agy: Textiles to me represent connections, tradition, textures, and color, all of which translate into stories that evoke personal narratives and emotions.
Dea: What’s your background and what led you to working with textiles?
Agy: I originally trained in biochemistry and environmental technology, and so my initial experience with textiles started with my mother as she made some of my clothes, and during home economics in school.
My first serious foray into textile art began as a personal exploration of sustainability. I transitioned from a fast-paced corporate career to slow, intentional making—starting with repairing and upcycling my wardrobe. What began as a practical effort to extend the life of my clothes evolved into a deep artistic practice, where I use textiles, stitch, and unconventional materials like concrete to explore themes of emotional well-being, reconnecting with nature.
As I delved deeper, I found myself gravitating towards the meditative process of incorporating lines, colors, and textures into my work. What began as a simple act of sustainability evolved into a rich journey of self-expression and creativity.
"I am drawn to the tactile and sensory nature of textiles. The textures, colors, and patterns found in fabrics evoke a unique sense of warmth and familiarity. Working with textiles allows me to engage with my art through touch, creating a more intimate and immersive experience."
Dea: Where do you find your inspiration?
Agy: Everything that is around me! I love finding intriguing textures and shapes in nature that are “invisible” to others, bringing them to life through textile art.
Dea: What’s your creative process like?
Agy: My creative process often begins with taking walks—whether it’s around my neighborhood or somewhere new—or simply reading a book. These moments allow me to observe and notice details in the world around me, sparking inspiration. From there, I spend a lot of time experimenting with different textile techniques, exploring textures and colors until I achieve the look and feel I envision. This hands-on exploration is essential to how I bring my ideas to life.
Dea: Is there a piece or project you are proud of?
Agy: It would have to be my coral textile solo exhibition, Hues of Loss, in 2023. This project was deeply inspired by the fragility and beauty of coral reefs, reflecting themes of environmental loss and resilience. The pieces explored the intricate textures and vibrant colors of coral, translating these natural forms into textile art that invites viewers to connect emotionally with the subject.
The works were created with the intention of drawing attention to the fragility of marine ecosystems. I used a range of techniques, including Broderie Anglaise and free motion embroidery, to form coral-inspired textures and hollow forms—echoing the loss of life and structure in bleached reefs. In fact, remnant organza featured prominently in this series of art work, and were used out of concerns about mankind’s rapid pace of consumption today. I also incorporated technology to make the 2m long coral sculpture interactive so that visitors could see how changes in the environment will cause the reef to undergo stress and eventually bleach.
While it was my first solo show, it was far from a solo effort. I was fortunate to have the support of a community of fellow creatives and environmental advocates who contributed to the exhibition through conversations, and sharing resources. The process was an incredible learning journey—emotionally intense, physically demanding, but immensely fulfilling.
Dea: Are you working on any exciting projects right now?
Agy: Yes, I’m currently continuing with my experiments incorporating embroidery with concrete to create sculptural pieces—a direction I began exploring last year through a series titled Renewal’s Path. These works reflect on the tension between fragility and resilience, drawing inspiration from natural processes like moss growing through cracks or life taking hold in the most unexpected places. I’m fascinated by the contrast between soft, delicate threads and the hardness of concrete—a material often associated with permanence and urban spaces. This series has also been deeply influenced by my walks and readings—especially Robin Wall Kimmerer's Gathering Moss. I'm excited to develop this body of work further, possibly working on larger formats.
Dea: Any tips for aspiring creatives?
Agy: Don’t rush the process ! Ideas take time to develop and be translated into stitches.
Thank you for joining this thoughtful, heartfelt conversation with Agy - her ability to weave emotion, environmental awareness, and intricate craftsmanship into each piece is truly inspiring. For anyone curious about the power of textiles to tell stories and spark change, Agy’s work is a beautiful place to begin. Let her practice be a reminder to slow down, observe deeply, and create with intention.
Connect with Agy here:
Instagram: @agytextileartist
Website: agytextileartist.com
Want more creative inspiration?
Check out our Services
To stay updated on future interviews, subscribe to our Newsletter
Comments