BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO AN OLD ART FORM

By: Laura Applegath and Scott Lashinsky
Photos by: Ellie Heard
August 10, 2017

For some, cross-stitch may conjure up images of sewing circles in the olden days or of simple patterns stitched using five shades of the same color. Elif (pronounced “a-leaf”), a native of Turkey, is seeking to challenge that traditional image of stitching by creating pieces that appeal to younger generations. While comfortable being a self-proclaimed ‘old-soul’, through her artwork Elif is serving as an advocate and agent for the evolution art must take to captivate and express each unique culture and generation.