Past Exhibitions
- Dyed and Woven Textile Colors: Gold and Silver
- December 13, 2016 - January 29, 2017
Gold and silver have been prized since ancient times. Throughout history and around the world, people have used these precious metals to ornament themselves and their surroundings. Part of the appeal of these materials is that they glitter and reflect light; at the same time, they are hard substances. How might gold and silver be incorporated into textiles made from soft fibers such as silk or ramie? One method is the technique of pasting gold or silver foil onto fabric, called surihaku in Japanese. Another technique is to weave metallic thread into the cloth—either thread that is itself made of metal or thread made from another material coated with gold or silver foil. This exhibition exemplifies the various ways in which gold and silver can be used to produce decorative textiles.
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