Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Saturday (Dec4): Indigo Lecture w Barbara Shapiro, Asian Art Museum SF

The Magic of Indigo
 with Barbara Shapiro
for the Society of Asian Art
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

When: Saturday, December 4

Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Place: Education Studio
, Asian Art Museum
Fee: $15 members, $25 non-member


Note: Registration required

This richly illustrated lecture explores the history and importance of indigo as a dyestuff the trade of which has had widespread ramifications and has touched many aspects of life in diverse cultures. The story of indigo is a fascinating way to look at world history. Called the king of colors and the color of kings, indigo has a strong Asian connection as a commodity traded worldwide and as a revered dye with Asian artisans. We will explore cultural and contemporary applications in Asia and around the world and shed light on the mysteries of this most magical blue dye. Contact: (T) 415.581.3701 or saa@asianart.org

Barbara Shapiro is a textile artist and long standing member of the World Shibori Network. She is a Board Member of the Textile Society of America and the Textile Arts Council of SF. Her artwork has been widely exhibited and published locally and internationally. A specialist in indigo dye, her teaching venues for weaving, dyeing, and basketry techniques include San Francisco State University and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Anthropologie "Ice Wine" Shibori Clutch

National retailer Anthropologie, known for their vintage-bohemian-girly looks, is getting in on the shibori train with their "Ice Wine" clutch (described as "frozen silk grapes'). Also some ikat inspired beaded clutches on offer -- quite chic, actually.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Recap: Yoshiko's NZ teaching tour

Wow, New Zealand has a lot going on!

Yoshiko recently returned from a 1.5month teaching tour through Australia and New Zealand where she was able to reunite with many longtime textile friends and had opportunities to meet new ones. Thanks to everyone for creating a wonderful teaching itinerary and setting up such fulfilling social events.

Special thanks to Deb Donnelly for her coordination efforts in NZ and for sharing these great photos and recaps. Check out the full NZ set on flickr


Meisen Kimono Art Moderne show at Expressions Gallery
18 Sept - 18 October 2010
Curated by Yoshiko, mounted by Rebecca Pubben and Expressions Gallery


The advertised floor talk on 30 September drew in a capacity audience at Vectra Gallery to hear a detailed description of works, its provenance and ways to identify this particular design movement in silk materials and techniques not always apparent on first glance. Yoshiko fully explained the rise of a more liberated Japanese consumer with lifestyles never before experienced in Japan. Meisen were popular just prior to the decreased supply of kimono post WW 2 up to late 1950s when western clothing became more widely accepted for workers, schools, manufacturers and general consumers alike. The Meisen Kimono Art Moderne exhibition was sponsored by Whitireia NZ and its response drawn from local artisans in possum merino felt, dyes on scarves, buttons and netsuke carvings including Owen Mapp, Hanne Eriksen Mapp, Clare Smith, Deb Donnelly, Rosemary Mortimer and Barry Young who attended the floortalk. (recap by Deb Donnelly)



Visit to Stansborough Textile Weaving Mill

Famous for their textile designs for films; Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Narnia chronicles, owners Cheryl and Barry Eldridge produce Stansborough fleece of unique lustre and high tensile strength on their family sheep farm in Wairarapa near Wellington. Specially woven lengths of naturally coloured material from Stansborough sheep were supplied to students enrolled on the New Material Transformation workshop at Whitireia Polytechnic NZ from 27 Sept - 1 Oct.
The results of the cloth explorations and Yoshiko's rigorous conceptual and technical teaching is being documented by textiles tutor Deb Donnelly for future classes and industry design developments. A deeper understanding of the cloth's potential will enable NZ designers to
carry on producing unique visions of this NZ icon. (recap by Deb Donnelly)


Boro Workshop
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology