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On view at the UH Art Gallery September 21 through October 31, 2008, will be a special exhibition, Writing with Thread: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities. Angela Sheng, Assistant Professor of Chinese Art History at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is the curator of the exhibition. Admission is free to the public.
This exhibition will feature over 300 objects from the most inclusive collection of Southwest Chinese ethnic minority costumes in the world. Writing with Thread will showcase the finest and rarest costumes from 16 ethnic groups and nearly 100 subgroups and will explore the meanings associated with the production and use of indigenous clothing. In societies without written languages, traditions and customs are orally passed from generation to generation. However, the textile arts, largely practiced by women, provide tangible evidence of a group's history, myths and legends. The signs and patterns woven or embroidered in their clothing and the ceremonial and ritual use of textiles are often replicated in the accompanying silver ornaments made by men. (For more information about Writing with Thread, visit www.hawaii.edu/artgallery.) An international colloquium themed around this exhibition will precede the symposium.

"Thank you for your interest in Writing with Thread. Unfortunately we are running behind getting the catalogue published and still don't know the price of it. We are still trying to get all the information out of Taiwan. 244 pages are already designed and it is spectacular. It will be over 320 pages. I will put your request on file and let you know as we go to press.


Aloha,
Tom Klobe
Director Emeritus
Univeristy of Hawaii Art Gallery"

The exhibit, "Writing with Thread" was terrific. Most of the clothing was displayed on three dimensional mannikins which makes an enormous difference for the viewer And the way the mannikins were set up in the space of the exhibition hall was very creative. Instead of being lined up in cabinets, the display filled the entire gallery, which is large and the viewer could walk around each group to see both front and back. I do think that it is one of the best displayed exhibitions that I have seen. As for the clothes, themselves, most were very fine. I couldn't have asked for more. And there was a wide variety of ethnic groups represented; many Miao, Buyi, Zhuang, Yi, Tujia, Maonan, Li, Yao. The exhibition was very comprehensive. I thought the catalog was definitely worth the $50 which it cost. I believe all of the objects on display are in the catalog and many of the attributions are informative. There is even a Dongjia baby carrier correctly identified, as we learned from Andrew Dudley (see Andrew's post http://www.tribaltextiles.info/communit ... php?t=1067 of Baby Carrier 2 on The Forum on October 18, 2007 and compare it with the DongJia carrier on p. 217 of the "Writing with Thread" catalog. The two carriers are almost identical. The "Thread" carrier is dated as late 19th century from Majiang County, Guizhou).

I have learned so much from The Forum which I have been able to apply in evaluating the wonderful "Writing with Thread" exhibition in Santa Fe.
All the best to you,
Ann

I visited Pam Nadjowski at her booth at the Travelers Market in a large shopping mall just outside of Santa Fe. I was in a rush for I was with my husband and granddaughter who are not consumed by textiles the way I am. But I bought a very lovely old Hani jacket and matching puttees from Pam. At another booth I saw a really nice pair of Li earrings which I bought. The dealer said they were new, but they look old to me. I wonder if it really matters if the workmanship is good and the piece is striking. I am impressed with the quality of the new pieces coming out, if these earrings are representative. I will attach photos here of both purchases and urge members of The Forum to try to get to Santa Fe to see the show "Writing with Thread" and visit Pam Nadjowski and the Travellers Market. The Market reminds me of a high ceilinged Turkish bazaar. Santa Fe is a beautiful part of the U.S. and worth a detour. It is not easy to get to but textile lovers will really appreciate the museums and shops.