Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat
Highlights on view through December 21, 2024
Prized worldwide for producing vivid patterns and colors, the ancient resist-dyeing technique of ikat developed independently in communities across Asia, Africa and the Americas. This exhibition explores the global phenomenon of ikat textiles through examples from countries as diverse as Chile, Indonesia and Uzbekistan.
About the Exhibition
Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat celebrates the artistic and cultural legacy of ikat, a sophisticated resist-dyeing technique used across the globe to pattern textiles. Ikat designs come to life before the threads are woven into fabric through a meticulous practice of selectively binding and dyeing threads before weaving. The materials, skill and time required to create ikat fabrics have made them potent symbols of wealth and high status in many cultures. Irresistible takes visitors on a world tour of ikat that spans centuries and cultures.
Acknowledgements
Major support for this exhibition and related programming is provided by The Coby Foundation, Ltd., the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, the Fund for Contemporary Textile Art, the Latin American Research Fund, the Megalli Family Endowment and Sylvia Bergstrom, Joe Rothstein and Marin Hagen. Additional support is provided by the American Conference on Oriental Rugs, Terry Adlhock and Jeffrey Hunter, Deborah M. Anderson, the Bruce P. and Olive W. Baganz Fund for The Textile Museum Exhibitions and Publications, the Contemporary Textiles Endowment, Tina M. deVries, Virginia McGehee Friend, Helen K. King, Edwina M. Nelon, Mary Jo Otsea and Richard H. Brown, Roger and Claire Pratt, Bonnie and Tom Reilly, David M. Sloan, and Pamela Tripp-Melby.
Young adult’s robe, Uzbekistan, 1870s. The Textile Museum Collection 2005.36.144. The Megalli Collection.
Man’s tunic, Nigeria, mid-20th century. The David and Marita Paly Collection AF04.
Poncho, Chile, Mapuche people, 19th century. The David and Marita Paly Collection AM34.
Man's outer hip wrapper, Indonesia, late 19th/early 20th century. The David and Marita Paly Collection MA11.
Tiraz fragment, possibly turban cloth end, Yemen, tenth century. The Textile Museum Collection 73.213. Acquired by George Hewitt Myers in 1935.
Skirt, northeast Thailand, Tai-Lao people, c. 1935-1940. The Textile Museum Collection 1971.18.14. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. James Madison Andrews.
Exhibition Program Videos
