Lewis Gallery
February 13, 2010 – July 4, 2010

Southeast Asia possesses one of the world’s most dazzling textile traditions that spans over 4,000 years. One of the most prolific areas for textile production is Sumatra, the largest island of Indonesia. It had been the commercial nexus on the trade route that first brought the Chinese, Arabs and Indians together and was later influenced by Portuguese and Dutch traders. The luxury trade in silks, cottons, yarns, beads, mirrored metal and rich dyes inspired a remarkable variety of textiles on the island, which in turn reflected and influenced the textile arts throughout the region.

Design motifs include sumptuous silk sarongs and shoulder wraps in vibrant colors woven with gold and silver yarns; the famous “ship cloths” woven in geometric forms that are remarkable historic documents of social status and ceremonial gift exchange; exquisitely embroidered cylindrical skirts embellished by couching, appliqué, mirrors and sequins; and ornate tie-dyed rainbow shawls of silk.

This exhibition is organized by Phoenix Art Museum.

Don't Miss

Connecting Threads: Textile Traditions of Southeast Asia

Arts of Asian Gallery, January 1 – April 30

Textiles are an important form of artistic expression and material culture that reflect common ancient traditions and beliefs shared across a vast expanse of the Asian continent. On display is a survey of indigenous cloth from the continental and insular countries of Southeast Asia, the threads of which are woven seamlessly in a wide range of techniques, materials, colors, and designs to reflect social, economic and religious beliefs.

Guest Curator, Peter Banko, will discuss this group of textiles on February 3, 2010 at noon in the Arts of Asia Gallery with a lecture entitled “From Burma to Borneo: Textiles of Southeast Asia.”

Presented by the Museum’s Asian Arts Council.

Trading Cloth and Culture
ASU Museum of Anthropology, April 8 – June 30

The University’s permanent Hanks and Sage ethnographic collections and loans from the Dr. Thomas J. Hudak collection are on display.

Image Credits
Left: Shawl (slendang), Indonesia, Sumatra, Palembang region 20th century, Tie-dye (tritik), “rainbow colored” (plangi), Silk with metallic thread. Loan from Dr. Thomas J. Hudak. Right: Ceremonial “Ship” Cloth (tatibin), Indonesia, Sumatra, south coastal region 20th century Supplementary weft, Cotton, Loan from Dr. Thomas J. Hudak.

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