Meet Mariah Bintliff | Textile Artist & Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mariah Bintliff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mariah, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I try to make a habit of staying curious. Some may believe that curiosity is innate and fixed. I, however, see it as something you can build upon. I’d say I practice curiosity on a daily basis at this point. Say, for instance, I take a trip to an aquarium and I see a beautiful school of fish swimming. I become fascinated with the way their silvery scales shimmer in the water; how they are all individually unique, but are seen as a whole as they dance in such a synchronized manner. When I see all of this I ask myself, how can I recreate this with textiles? Can I transform the fluid movements of water , but with fabric and wind instead? Do I make shapes that resemble fish or are more abstract? Do I stitch together elements other than fabric? A thousand ideas start swirling in my head and eventually lead me to a new project, perhaps multiple, just from this bout of inspiration and curiosity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story? What sets you apart from others?
I work with second-hand textiles and notions to connect to my Korean heritage, practice sustainable living, and share stories through creative exploration. I believe there is a refined balance between tradition and innovation. When done thoughtfully, artists can honor traditional practices, while also breathing new life into them by sharing their unique narratives in the process. As I’ve continued to gain knowledge and experience of the traditional art form of Bojagi, I have also expanded on my practice and made it my own through various unconventional techniques and applications. When people see my work, I want it to be more of an experience than anything else. I do so by incorporating elements like movement, light/shadow, and sound. My hope is that by doing so, I can shed a light on this historic art practice and introduce new audiences to Korean culture.

What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way?
People always ask me “How do you have the patience to hand sew all of that?” which I find funny because I never thought of myself as a patient person. It made me question myself – have I miraculously acquired patience? No, I still get antsy waiting in lines or following the automatic prompts on an answering machine. It wasn’t until I started looking at how others had patience that it all clicked. My partner can spend two hours making pasta sauce, my friend can work well into the night on coding a website, my aunt will invest two straight days designing floral arrangements for a wedding. I couldn’t imagine having the patience to do any of those things. But it’s because I don’t care to spend my time in that way. This has taught me that patience comes with passion. If you truly enjoy something, the time spent on it becomes irrelevant.

What are you most proud of or excited about?
I am always searching for new ways to dig deeper into my art practice. I believe there is power in continuous learning and challenging yourself beyond what you’re comfortable with. At the moment, I am practicing this by preparing for a trip to South Korea. I will be going on a 10-day Korean Textile Tour that is hosted by my mentor, Youngmin Lee. It’s here that I will learn more about my Korean heritage first-hand. We will be learning from Saeksilnubi and indigo masters, visiting museums and artist studios, and eating a great deal of Korean cuisine.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For breakfast or lunch I’d hands down insist on Welton’s Tiny Bakeshop. They focus on working with local and seasonal ingredients, which makes a big difference in my book. What they lack in size, they make up for in quality, taste, and care. If you go there, tell them I say hello!

There’s also a ton of great cafes in the area to get your coffee/tea fix. If you’re looking for a place to chill with friends or get some work done, I’d recommend:
– Sightsee Shop, conveniently located next to Hampton Park
– Babas on Meeting (this location has more space than the one on Cannon and is also a two-in-one with one of my favorite places, Goat.Sheep.Cow)
– Harken for a nice atmosphere and delicious quiche
– Second State Coffee at 70.5 Beaufain Street

For dinner I am officially obsessed with Bintü Atelier for African inspired cuisine that’s sure to please. P.S. ~ be sure to try their homemade ice cream too! I also love my neighborhood pizzeria, Renzo, and 167 Sushi Bar.

For drinks, make a reservation for The Annex inside The Last Saint – you won’t regret it. They don’t have a menu, so you describe a few key traits and they will make something especially for you. If you’re into natural wines, Bar Rollins is the place for you. They always have great pop-up food menus and the cozy atmosphere always makes me feel like I’m just at my girlfriend’s house hanging out. Check out Babas on Cannon’s Friday special to get some delicious free snacks with your drink.

For creative experiences, I’d highly recommend checking out the latest exhibits, workshops, or Open Studios at Redux Contemporary Art Center. Schedule a viewing at the woman-owned Miller Gallery to experience a vibrant curation of contemporary art. Hed Hi Studio also offers some great shows if you can catch one while you’re in town!

Other Activities:
– I am a huge stationery nerd and I send a lot of snail mail, so I always love to stop in Mildred Newberry and The Paper Canopy
– Stroll the streets at night around the French Quarter or South of Broad to take a step back in time amongst the cobblestone streets and oil lanterns
– Take a sewing class at Five Eighths Seams in West Ashley
– Shop at A Maker’s Post on Sullivan’s for artisan-crafted goods and plants
– Take a sunrise or sunset walk on the beach at Sullivan’s Island
– Attend Charleston’s chapter of the Creative Mornings event that happens every third Friday of the month. I really got a feel for the local community through these events and met so many great people!
– Meander around The Station Park Circle for your thrifting fix

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my mentor, Youngmin Lee. Thank you for opening up my world to the beauty of Bojagi. Thank you for your patience and encouragement to always challenge myself. Thank you for inspiring me with your passion and enthusiasm to share with others. I will forever cherish our time together and I am grateful to call you my friend.

Website: https://www.bojagiblues.studio

Instagram: @bojagiblues

Other: Check out my Patreon:
patreon.com/BojagiBlues

Image Credits
Mariah Bintliff