Morning Wave

Morning Wave by Jaclyn Bae — denim textile art inspired by ocean movement, layered with recycled jeans and stitched textures

Morning Wave

Morning Wave is created from deconstructed denim jeans—bleached, cut, pulled apart, and reassembled to mirror the rhythmic movement of the ocean. The worn edges, faded seams, and subtle marks embedded in the fabric speak to years lived and stories carried in everyday material.

Denim, familiar and intimate, becomes a metaphor for resilience. Through washing, unraveling, and layering, the fabric takes on a new form—reflecting how lived experiences shape and refine us over time, much like waves meet the shore, leaving traces of change.

The word “Morning” signals renewal—light returning, breath softening, and memory settling into clarity. This work invites viewers into a quiet, reflective moment: a small wave rising again with hope, reminding us that transformation often begins gently.


### **In-Depth Analysis: Material Memory and the Role of Fiber Art**

**1. Material Memory and the Role of Fiber Art**

"Morning Wave" can be interpreted as a work that moves beyond simple upcycling to explore the vital contemporary fiber art theme of **Material Memory**. Denim is a **democratic material** worn globally, carrying various **cultural memories** of labor, resistance, and fashion. The physical traces embedded in the fabric—worn edges, faded seams, and subtle marks—impart **emotional resonance** to the material itself, speaking, as you noted, to "years lived and stories carried".

**2. Redefining Material Culture through Upcycling**

This piece presents the material's potential within the realm of **Upcycled Fiber Art**. The act of deconstructing and rebuilding discarded denim reflects contemporary concerns about **Sustainability** and demonstrates a **redefinition of material culture** by transforming mass-produced clothing into a **unique sculptural object** imbued with personal experience and emotion. This aligns with the modern art trend of elevating textiles from mere functional materials into **artistic mediums** that convey our lived experiences.

**3. Abstract Expression and Psychological Healing**

The way the work abstractly formalizes the ocean's waves offers viewers a **moment of quiet reflection**. This connects directly to the nature of fiber art, which delivers **psychological comfort** through its tactile and intimate language. The blue tones of the denim and the rhythm of the waves symbolize **regeneration and recovery**, offering a universal message of **Resilience** in times of uncertainty.

© Jaclyn Bae · Denim Textile Artwork

See also: Harmony Series

Explore Harmony Series I–VI — a collection of textile works weaving themes of time, memory, family, and faith through layered denim and hand-stitched narratives.

https://jaclynbae.blogspot.com/2025/09/harmony-series-ivi-time-memory-family.html


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