Tapestry / fiber art has been displayed, treasured and produced for many centuries. The art form has been used in many countries and cultures to showcase skill, record history and teach religious lessons or beliefs as well as used for practical reasons such as warmth. We see this art form used throughout Europe, Africa, native cultres in America and Asia. Thailand is known for their silk weaving into tapestries, clothing and wall hangings. The art form dates back centuries with some silk fibers dated 3000 years old. The beauty of this Thai art form is the complete community and cultural involvement that it encompasses. While there are some known weavers, generally this art form is most commonly found in small villages where people have been weaving and creating their own clothing, blankets, wall hangings for centuries.
It all begins with a worm. A silk worm actually and thousands of them. The silk worms are fed and grown until they begin wrapping themselves in their silk cocoons. They are then harvested for these cocoons following which they will be washed and the threads unwoven from the cocoon. This is now raw silk. The raw silk needs to be dyed, washed, dried and spun into skeins in preparation for weaving. A quality fabric, weaving or tapestry cannot be achieved without first a knowledgable sericulturist (silk farmer) and dyer. Just a single women's sarong requires the cocoons of approximatley 2500 silk worms.
Thai silk artistry was not always a respected or desired craft. While the skills and practice has been used for centuries in Thailand it wasn't until the 1950's when an American named Jim Thompson created and founded the Thai Silk Company in Bangkok that the silk industry in Thailand created an international name and recognition. In partnership with Queen Sirikit, the skill and talent of the village sericulturists and weavers was shown on an international level, creating a demand for Thai silks.
The Queen's wardrobe is on display in the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum in Bangkok, Thailand featuring the skill and artistry of Thai silk farmers and weavers as well as designers.
Today, Thai silks are still in demand and recognized for their beauty and color throughout the world. Several modern artists are using Thai silks in various manners to bring to light religious and political views. Jakkai Siributr is a Thai fiber artist using his talent to help refugees from Myranmar (formerly Burma) just north of Thailand. The above display is one of his works after learning of the refugees and their plight in refugee camps. They are woven flags from imagined countries where the refugees could be safe. Siributr's fiber installation showcases his use of woven fabrics as well as his own talent of detailed embroidery with the theme of Buddism and political concerns of modern Thailand. His installation can be seen here: Siributr exhibition
Artist Ploenchan Vinyarartn is also a contemporary textile artist in Bangkok. She works with hilltribe weavers to create her pieces such at the 16 meter River of Kings displayed in the Louis Vuitton Boutique.
Her peice below, The Sea Ghost and Beyond, is a textile display showcasing her talent for space and material as well as light and shadow.
What I admire about the textile art of Thailand is the incorporation of the entire culture and community into a finished art. The farmers are recognized for their knowledge and contribution to the creation of silk, the weavers for their skill and craftmanship as well as the designer in the overall creation. No one is elevated as higher or of more importance than the other and each recognized as instrumental in the final product. Culture, skill, knowledge, natural elements and history all are woven together be it a skirt, wall tapestry or art installation. Having traveled to Thailand and seen the village women under a thatch roof creating stunning sarongs full of vibrant colors and patterns, it truly is valuable cultural art form to behold and a true honor to be able to wear or display.
I've always admired this type of art. It's amazing to know that it dates back 3000 years. Seeing how people make a product without the help of technology makes me want to learn the process. Great job on your blog!
My name is Lillian. I am a born and bred Alaskan who calls this home but can't wait to leave come January and February. Sadly, I do not appreciate the cold and dark. Summer is my time of year. The blessing of abundance we have here is unmatched and I try to utilize all that we have by filling the freezer with meat and fish, garden veggies and gallons and gallons of blueberries. No, I will not tell you where my secret spot is. I believe art surrounds everything we do, from how dinner is served to the clothing we wear to conversations at work. Art is the expression of how we live and the joy in seeing the beauty in it. Art is such a large word. It encorporates setting, feeling, relationship, conversation, structure and vision. No, I am not a "traditional" artist. I cannot draw worth beans. I don't write, definately do not paint and by no means am I any sort of art critic or interpretor or really have any knowledge of art hi...
Women's right, equality and representation are a subject of ongoing debate/battle for many generations including both the mid and postmodern eras. Views were and are different towards women depending on culture, era and location, but generally in Western culture in the 1900s and earlier, women were thought of as less than, undervalued, incapable or just weaker and representation in the art world was lacking. For centuries women have been fighting back against these stigmas with a huge surge in the 60, 70 and 80's in America with the Women's Rights Movement. Artists joined and often lead the movement through music, print, speech, film, sculpture and paint. Below are chosen artistic pieces that were created and used to further educate and advance the rights of women not only in western culture but worldwide. Often the subject matter is a bit harsh (if that is the right word) and not always tasteful or elegant, but sometimes in order to get attention one...
Our Lady of the Rockies - The fourth largest statue in the United States, sits atop the Continental Divide overlooking Butte, Montana. She is created in the likeness of Mary, mother of Jesus, dedicated to mothers everywhere, and inspired and designed by Bob O'Bill as a tribute to his thankfulness and gratitude when his wife survived her battle with cancer. The statue stands 90ft tall at an elevation of 8,500 ft above sea level. She is lit in the evening year-round and so is able to be seen day and night. Mainly a huge community funded project, construction began in 1979 and the finished statue was unveiled in 1985. Of course, controversy has surrounded her since conception - cost and a forced religious aspect on an entire community were/are part of the controversy. Yet she still stands. Her stark white contrast to the natural surrounding colors makes her stand out in the "Big Sky Country" of Montana...
I've always admired this type of art. It's amazing to know that it dates back 3000 years. Seeing how people make a product without the help of technology makes me want to learn the process. Great job on your blog!
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