ABOUT
Sheena Liam Yue Sheen (b. 1991, Malaysia) is a contemporary artist whose practice centres on textile and embroidery-based works. She studied Arts under the International Baccalaureate programme at the University of South Australia.
Liam is known for her minimalist embroidered works that explore themes of identity, femininity, labour, and self-representation. Working primarily with thread on raw canvas, her practice examines the material and symbolic qualities of embroidery through restrained composition and subtle texture.
Hair frequently appears as a recurring visual element within her works, functioning both as portraiture and as a broader reference to femininity, memory, and bodily presence. Her practice positions embroidery as both a visual language and a process-driven form of art.
Sheena’s first solo exhibition debuted in October 2018 at Item Gallery, a contemporary art space closely connected with the fine art printing house Idem Paris.
Selected Exhibitions
2024 Group Exhibition, “Don’t Touch My Hair”, Hannah Traore Gallery, New York
2024 Group Exhibition, “Paint, Print, Repear”, Adda Gallery, Ibiza
2023 Group Exhibition, “Leaving Traces”, Hin Bus Depot, Penang
2022 Group Exhibition, “Everything has Changed, Nothing Has Changed.” Temuhouse, PJ
2020 Group Exhibition, “Lemonade Stand”, The Naughton Gallery at Queens, Belfast
2020 Group Exhibition, “Propositions inédites 3”, Item Gallery, Paris, France
2018 Solo Exhibition “Times New Romance”, Item Gallery, Paris, France
Selected Press
2020 The Guardian, “Hair-raising: embroidered female portraits”
2019 Design Boom, “Sheena Liam, model and embroiderer, sculpts her hair with loose thread”
2018 Juxtapoz, “New Embroideries and Solo Exhibition "Times New Romance" at Idem Paris.”
2018 Colossal, “Hand-Sewn Portraits by Sheena Liam Capture Quiet Moments of Self Care”
2017 Teen Vogue, “Interview With Model and Embroidery Artist Sheena Liam”
2017 Colossal, “Hand-Sewn Hairstyles That Cascade From Embroidered Hoops by Sheena Liam”
2017 i-D, “Sheena Liam’s incredible embroidery art features handmade hair”
Selected Publications
2024 Broderies- Anthologie curieuse by Audrey Demarre, Carole Martinez, Editions de la Martiniere
2021 Unraveling Women’s Art- Creators Rebels and Innovators in Textile Arts by PL Henderson
2018 de Fils en Aiguille, La broderie l'art contemporain by Charlotte Vannier, Pyramyd Editions