Exhibitions On Tour
The Draped and the Shaped - Textiles and Costumes from Pakistan
This touring exhibition concentrates on the richness and variety of surface-decorated textiles as well as textiles patterned on the loom produced mainly in Pakistan. The contemporary textiles are, in the main, drawn from or revivals of older textile traditions such as chikan kari, zardosi, block-printing and zari brocade. What is particularly interesting about the development of contemporary textiles is the transfer of skills in certain areas, most notably chikan kari or white on white embroidery.
The draped and shaped textiles refer to flat textiles as well as costumes. The primary intention, however, is to make accessible a rich design vocabulary through a variety of embroidered, block-printed and woven textiles. In addition to chikan kari, zardosi and block-printing, there will also be the traditional khes and phulkaris of the Punjab. Phulkaris from the western Punjab are rarely seen, since it is the phulkaris of the Indian Punjab that dominate.
The exhibition is a heady mix of the traditional and the contemporary with approximately 20 flat textiles, 15 small fragments of flat textiles, 28 costumes and 12 framed photographs and drawings.
Many of the items from the Bradford collections are recent commissions of costumes mainly from the Libas collection designed by Sehyr Saigol. The quality of design, surface-decoration and needle-skills are of an exquisite quality. They are the equivalent of Western haute couture costumes with an identifiably modern Eastern thrust. The strength of the Libas creations lie in the fact that their links, both with popular and traditional fashion are evident but elevated to a high degree of craftsmanship. A small number of vegetable-dyed and block-printed textiles are also being commissioned from the artist Noor Jehan Bilgrami. She is credited with having rescued the complex block-printing technique of ajrakh from oblivion.
Exhibition Hire
Availability
Exhibition available for hire all of 2006 running into 2007 (except during a confirmed booking July-Sept 06). A great deal of interest has been shown and bookings made on a first confirmed booking basis.
Running space
Available to venues with a gallery space of 1,170 square feet; however, the exhibition can be tailored to fit smaller spaces.
Contact details
Nilesh Mistry, Museum Officer, Cartwright Hall Art Gallery, Lister Park, Bradford BD9 4NS. tel 01274 431214 fax 01274 481045 email nilesh.mistry@bradford.gov.uk
Exhibition contents
The exhibition consists of approximately 90 works. Some works are cased (requires 3 costume cases and one desk case). These works can be edited out if cases are not available. Framed and unframed works on walls and dummies. Dummies and some display plinths supplied with exhibition.
Publicity
Press-pack containing CD with images, draft press release, 250 colour posters for overprinting by venue & preview cards are also anticipated.
Interpretation
Information panels and labels supplied. A planned catalogue/education pack (CD-Rom) will be available on sale or return basis cost to be confirmed.
Venue to provide
- Insurance from arrival at the venue until delivery at the next venue.
- Onward transport to next touring venue or return to Cartwright Hall.
- New packing materials such as bubblewrap, polythene and tissue. Packing under curatorial/conservation supervision only.
- Patrolling or fixed point warding staff required.
- Security of building to Museum Standards.
- Details of attendance figures, education programme and press coverage at the end of the exhibition period.
Fee
£3,000 for 8 weeks
