News from Around...

In 2011, I wanted to post with more regularity on the blog (we'll see how that goes) and that includes highlighting work from some of our readers -- some new to shibori and some very seasoned. It's always a thrill to hear from people who have just begun experimenting with shibori in all its complexities and to seethis technique inspire more people. So, with that, let's begin...

irresistible resist

Shipra writes to us from India: I got interested in Shibori after a workshop I took in Jaipur. I, along with my friend, started practising it, mostly from Ms. Wada's book. It has been very enriching experience. We have been practising it for last one and a half year. I am thankful to you for amazingly informative book and a lovely website. www.irresistibleresist.blogspot.com

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SUZUSAN.e.K. featured in Stijlvol Wonen

Popular Dutch shelter magazine "Stijlvol Wonen" (Stylish Living) recently featured shibori lamps produced by Hiroshi Murase from his line, SUZUSAN.e.K. Very stylish, indeed. www.suzusan-shibori.com

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Michelle Victoria McGrath

Michelle Victoria McGrath is a graduate from the University of Wales Newport. A few years ago, she gave up her full time job as a teacher to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Three years of schooling later, she won the Ryder Cup Fashion Show competition and training with Paul Costelloe in LFW 2011. Michelle is currently setting up her own label, MVM, which will be based in Wales. www.michellevictoriamcgrath.com

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Paris American Academy

And a final note from our wonderful friend, Peter Carman, Director of Paris American Academy (PAA) and former host of the ISS in France (2008). They launched a new website and it looks GREAT! If ever you're in Paris and want to see a top-notch fashion academy, head to PAA. And before you do, see what new things might be happening: check out their Current Events section on the web. www.parisamericanacademy.fr

Remembering Mary Kellogg Rice

Celebrating Mary Kellogg Rice

Artist, Author, Supporter of Crafts

It is with sadness that I write about the recent passing of Mary Kellogg Rice, a beautiful spirit and accomplished woman who lived a rich and full life. She had just celebrated her 100th birthday in December 2010.

Among her many contributions to the community and art world, Mary co-authored "Shibori: The Inventive Art of Shaped Resist Dyeing" with me and Jane Barton, a seminal book in my professional career and for the art of shibori and textile design in general. Mary was also involved in the WPA during the Great Depression, serving as art director for the Milwaukee State Teachers College where women were taught weaving, block-printing, quilting, and other crafts. She recorded her experience in her second book, "Useful Work for Unskilled Women: A Unique WPA Project," which earned a 2004 Wisconsin State Historical Society Book Award of Merit.

A private gathering will be held for only family and close friends. Thank you.

Thank you, Mary, for all that you did for the textile and crafts community over the last 100 years. You were a wonderful colleague and friend.

Warm regards,

Yoshiko

Mary's co-author and President of the World Shibori Network

Workshop: baandhani & leheria with kamaldeep kaur (May 2011, netherlands)

Baandhani & Leheriya:
reviving traditional Indian resist dyeing techniques

3-day workshop with Kameldeep Kaur (India)

- 19, 20, 21 May 2011 -

studio zijdelings

netherlands

India has been known since antiquity for amazing handcrafted textile techniques. Resist dyed and printed textiles have long been a popular Indian export with Gujarat and Madras serving as two important ports and producing centres for Dutch and British companies.

KAMALDEEP KAUR will instruct a 3-day workshop on the age-old techniques and patterns of baandhani and leheriya using natural dyes, such as madder, daru haldi, and lac. Kamaldeep is a noted researcher from India who has been involved in the revival of several traditional techniques as well as the continuation of existing crafts through design consultancy and product development.

Day 1. The course begins with the story of baandhani and leheriya: a brief introduction with images of process, wearers, makers, surroundings, and traditional and contemporary products. Next is instruction in leheriya on finer silk fabric, which we will prepare and soak overnight for you. Once tied, the samples can be dyed with madder the very same day. You will be able to make several different samples. Some of the samples can be opened, then re-tied and re-dyed the next day for two colour effects.

Day 2. Morning begins with a presentation on natural dyes, followed by preparing daru haldi. We continue with baandhani tying and dye at the end of the day.

Day 3. The final day is devoted to lac dyeing. Morning starts with tying, then working in groups near the dye bath to talk about how to develop it. Samples tied today can be full scarves rather than smaller swatches. We may do two different lac dye baths (time permitting): one with tamarind and one with vinegar to show the difference in brightness of colour. We may also use different mordants to yield different shades.

This class will be in English. Coffee / tea & lunch will be provided.

DATES: 19,20,21 May 2011, 10am-5pm

COURSE FEE: € 300,00 excluding materials. There will be an additional lab fee for natural dyes and Indian silk

LOCATION: Studio Zijdelings Tilburg - The Netherlands

INSTRUCTOR: Kamaldeep Kaur, India

CONTACT: Karina van Vught www.zijdelings.com

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.

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.

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

Joan Morris Solo Show (Oct 14- Nov 21, VT)

If you're in New England during the next couple months, do yourself a favor and make your way to Big Town Gallery in Rochester, Vermont to see the exceptional work of artist JOAN MORRIS (see that artwork cover on your "Memory on Cloth: shibori now" book? That's Joan's). "Merging Continuums," Joan's solo show featuring all new works, will open Oct 14 with a reception on Saturday (16th) and artist talk. The exhibition will be up until Nov 21. Go!

"Everywhere, color proclaims its consonance with energy, and the effect is of textiles that refuse to hold still." - "Joan Morris: Master Dyer" by Glen Brown, American Craft Magazine, Summer 2008

Merging Continuums
- new works by Joan Morris -
14 October - 21 November 2010
Big Town Gallery
Rochester, VT
*opening reception 16 Oct @ 4-7p
www.joanmorrisartist.com

Safekeeper Vest Trunk Show (Oct 15,16 @ Berkeley)

If you're in the Bay Area next weekend Oct 15/16,
stop by Yoshiko's house and check out
The SAFEKEEPER VEST Fall Trunk Show
Beautiful, one-of-a-kind vests designed by Marion Gartler
for unencumbered traveling and everyday purse-free living
www.safekeepervest.com

October 15, 16 Fri & Sat
696 Hilldale Ave
Berkeley, CA
12-5:00p
see flyer for directions

intersections5: Colors_Concepts_Contours (13 Oct-Dec, San Francisco)

Lucy Matzger, "Bat Caf", used coffee filters

fiber/DIMENSIONS presents:
intersections 5 :
Colors_Concepts_Contours
Oct 13 - Dec 19
Presidio of San Francisco Officers' Club
50 Moraga Ave

*Opening Reception 17 Oct @1p*
FREE demos offered (see schedule below)
www.fiberdimensions.com

fiber/DIMENSIONS is a Bay Area art organization that has achieved international recognition. They are celebrating twenty years as a very effective and supportive arts collaborative. Their fifth biennial group show, Intersections 5, will represent over 35 of their amazing artists who bring a diversity of disciplines to their work from weaving, felting, quilting, and paper making to painting, woodworking, printing, and welding. Though many of their artists mix mediums and materials into forms that transcend definition, it is the vitality and potential of fiber that connects the group in the unique fiber/DIMENSIONS collaborative.

FREE demos & lectures
Friday @ 1:30 to 2:30, beginning October 29th. Venue: Presidio Officer’s Club. See website for details

October 29 Regula Allenspach Weill – Gift Wrapping
November 5 Allegra Burke – Prodded Rag Rugs
November 12 Emily Dvorin – Coiled Basketry
November 19 Lucy Matzger – Coffee Filter Collage
December 3 Jeanette Carr – Machine Made Lace
December 10 Melissa Woodburn – Pine Needle Baskets

Lecture: Yoshiko on "Art & Design: case studies from Japan"(23 Sep, NZ)

click on image to enlarge