Luminaries in the textile arts present at the Maiwa School of Textiles. These presentations are from an international collection of writers, travellers, craftspeople and artists.
The Poetics of Textiles — Tim McLaughlin
Jul 03, 2019
Like all great arts, textiles recreate our visiton of the world. We hold them up as exemplars of skill, ingenuity, creativity, and ambition. Textiles are poetic metaphors woven from ideas just as much as they are physical items woven from fibres.
Between Science and Art — Ellis & Boutrup
Apr 18, 2019
Between Science and Art: Collaboration in Textiles. Catharine Ellis & Joy Boutrup
Joy Boutrup is a textile engineer, chemist, and historian from Denmark. Catharine Ellis is a textile artist from North Carolina who specializes in combining weaving and dyeing. They first met at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and, despite living on different continents, they have worked and taught collaboratively for many years.
Joy’s science-based knowledge of textile dyeing and finishing has informed and expanded Catharine’s approach to textile design and practice. As a result, Catharine has developed a unique body of woven and dyed textiles. Many of her fabric can be directly attributed to the lessons she learned from Joy. Currently, they are working collaboratively on a book about the science and the art of natural dyes (just released - see below). Join them as they speak of the scientific principles and the textile applications that have resulted from their work together.
Joy Boutrup (Left) and Cathatine Ellis (RIGHT) presenting at the Maiwa School of Textiles Fall 2018.
Woven Shibori textiles by cathatine ellis
Catharine Ellis is a textile artist and educator. She developed the process of woven shibori in which special threads are added during weaving and then manipulated to create resist patterns during dyeing. Catharine directed the Professional Craft Fiber Program at Haywood Community College for 30 years and has now focused her explorations on the use of natural dyes. She teaches and exhibits internationally and is active in the Textile Society of American and Surface Design Association. Catharine is the author of Woven Shibori (Interweave Press, 2005 and 2016). She lives in the mountains of North Carolina.
Joy Boutrup has a background in textile engineering, specializing in textile chemistry. Her main strength is the ability to analyze structures, develop new methods and techniques and to solve problems in connection with the practical realization of ideas in textile art and conservation. Joy’s unique ability to teach in an accessible manner and to convey the deeper structures of fibres and dyes has had a profound influence on textile designers and artists. Joy has taught at design schools in Denmark and at the School of Conservation in Copenhagen. She lives in Sorø, Denmark.
This long-awaited guide serves as a tool to explain the general principles of natural dyeing, and to help dyers to become more accomplished at their craft through an increased understanding of the process. Photos of more than 450 samples demonstrate the results of actual dye tests, and detailed information covers every aspect of natural dyeing including theory, fibres, mordants, dyes, printing, organic indigo vats, finishing, and the evaluation of dye fastness.
Invitation to the Divine — Amy Putansu
Feb 13, 2019
Throughout history and across cultures, textiles have served important spiritual roles. Belief in the protective or auspicious nature of cloth can be found in societies on all continents. The idea that embellishment and pattern may add not only beauty but also a link to the spiritual realm and protection from evil is indeed a potent one. In this lecture Amy Putansu will discuss how notions of spirituality have influenced her own hand-woven artwork. Inspired by Buddhism, Zen design precepts, and the minimalist art movement, Amy presents a powerful way to reimagine textiles as an invitation to the divine.
Amy’s current practice focuses on an unusual weaving technique called ondulé, which produces ever-present waves of threads throughout the cloth. These fabrics are specially constructed for resist dyeing and other alternative techniques. The resulting textile panels are contemplative fields that reference the undulating nature of light, the sea, and expressions of transcendent experience.
Recorded October 4, 2016. Published as a podcast February 13, 2019.
The Art of Ajrakh — Jabbar & Adam Khatri
Dec 20, 2018
Recorded at the Maiwa School of Textiles September 14th 2017.
Knitted Felt Works - Aya Matsunaga
Sep 18, 2018
Aya Matsunaga is a Japanese textile artist who tempered her formal studies by moving to Nottingham, England, and embracing the UK fibre art scene of the 1990s.
In this lecture Aya will share her artistic journey—how, like white yarn in a dyebath, she absorbed influences and inspiration from her time in Japan, England, and Italy.
Her work is a synergy of knit and felted techniques. Aya Matsunaga knits with multiple dyed fine wool yarns—both by hand and also using a hand-cranked knitting machine. She completes the construction by fulling the fabric. The result is a very complex colour mixture that gives the work a distinctive artistic flavour. She has adapted this process to make unusual sculpted works and garments. Aya will showcase her work and relate it back to her journey—the challenges and successes of an independent working artist.
Field Notes in the Colour Garden pt 2 — Micahel Garcia
Aug 20, 2018
When leading natural dye expert Michel Garcia goes into a garden, what does he see? He sees botanical strategies for survival that often give new insights into dye procedures and methods.
Field Notes in the Colour Garden pt 1 — Michel Garcia
Jul 16, 2018
When leading natural dye expert Michel Garcia goes into a garden, what does he see? He sees botanical strategies for survival that often give new insights into dye procedures and methods.
The Art of Storypainting - Susan Shie
Jun 21, 2018
For over thirty years Susan Shie has been producing art on cloth that mixes the personal and the political. Her distinct method of working combines narrative, drawing, and writing into large-format, highly graphic art quilts.
Stone Diaries and Quilted Lines — Barbara Todd
May 17, 2018
On October 5, 2015, Barbara Todd delivered her lecture, "Stone Drawings and Quilted Lines" or "One Day Tells Its Tale To Another." to a full house at the Maiwa School of Textiles.
Deeper Than Indigo - Jenny Balfour Paul
Apr 12, 2018
Recorded at the Maiwa School of Textiles Lecture series on September 19, 2016.
The Working Traveller 2009 Part 4
Jul 15, 2010
Each member of our panel has carved a road in the wilderness. It is not easy to walk off the map, but they have all done it, struck out alone to follow a path as unknown to themselves as it was to others. And then something happens ...
The Working Traveller 2009 Part 3
Jun 15, 2010
Each member of our panel has carved a road in the wilderness. It is not easy to walk off the map, but they have all done it, struck out alone to follow a path as unknown to themselves as it was to others. And then something happens ...
The Working Traveller 2009 Part 2
May 15, 2010
Each member of our panel has carved a road in the wilderness. It is not easy to walk off the map, but they have all done it, struck out alone to follow a path as unknown to themselves as it was to others. And then something happens ...
The Working Traveller 2009 Part 1
May 01, 2010
Recorded at the 2009 Maiwa Textile Symposium on October 21, 2009
Panel: Bappaditya Biswas Stephen Huyler Linda Cortwright Charllotte Kwon Sheila Paine
Each member of our panel has carved a road in the wilderness. It is not easy to walk off the map, but they have all done it, struck out alone to follow a path as unknown to themselves as it was to others. And then something happens ...
As Charllotte puts it, “At a certain point there is an incredible feeling of freedom and you are able to see the whole world as your workshop.”
Join Bappaditya Biswas (weaver and entrepreneur), Stephen Huyler (anthropologist, photographer, and writer), Linda Cortright, (journalist and magazine publisher), Charllotte Kwon (owner of Maiwa and documentary filmmaker), and Sheila Paine (explorer and author) as they present a variety of approaches to travel, exploration, culture and craft.
Retooling for the Future - Part 2 Artisans Alliance of Jawaja
We usually put the Symposium lectures up as podcasts. This one is a little different. We connected with the Artisan's Alliance of Jawaja through Skype because they were not permitted to visit Canada to give their presentation in person. The result is this series of videos from the event.
Here are some reference links about the group and the presentation:
In preparation for that event the Artisan's Alliance of Jawaja worked with Anitha Balachandran and Siddhartha Chatterjee and India's National Institute of Design (NID) to create a presentation that would help tell the story of Jawaja. You will see the presentation in the video, but we've also made it available here as a high-quality pdf file.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made this presentation possible - The Artisan's Alliance of Jawaja, and the representatives who traveled to Ahmedabad, Ashoke Chatterjee for his tireless vision, everyone at the Ravi J Matthai Centre and the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), and the National Institute for Design (NID).
We had never attempted a Skype presentation before and had only limited experience with it. It is testament to the positive energy gathered around the group that we only lost the connection once for a very short time.
Retooling for the Future Part 1
Mar 15, 2010
The Artisan's Alliance of Jawaja make their presentation to a Vancouver audience at the Maiwa Textile Symposium via Skype.
Bleu de Lectoure
Mar 01, 2010
Inspired by both the colour and the plant, the Lamberts created Bleu de Lectoure in 1994. Soon their lives were given up to woad. It took more than two years working with chemists from the University of Toulouse to uncover the original fermentation, extraction, and dyeing processes. In an antiques store one day, fate helped them out. They stumbled upon a notebook that belonged to Napoleon’s chemist.
Creating a Garden of Natural Dye Plants Part 2
Feb 15, 2010
Join Michel Garcia as he leads us on a walk through the garden of natural dye plants, explaining the motivation and origins of this project, how it has evolved, new challenges faced, and what the future holds.
Creating a Garden of Natural Dye Plants Part 1
Jan 15, 2010
Join Michel Garcia as he leads us on a walk through the garden of natural dye plants, explaining the motivation and origins of this project, how it has evolved, new challenges faced, and what the future holds.
From Gandhi to Globalization Part 2
Dec 15, 2009
In part two, Ashoke Chatterjee presents the remainder of his lecture and answers questions from the audience. Part one contained the visiual and the first part of Mr. Chatterjee's presentation. Part two is audio only. Mr. Chatterjee presented his lecture via satallite from Ahmedabad, India
From Ghandi to Globalization Part 1
Nov 15, 2009
In part one Charllotte Kwon introduces Ashoke Chatterjee and explains the application process for a Canadian visa (Mr. Chatterjee, an Indian dignitary with flawless credentials was denied a visa to visit Canada). Ashoke presents the first part of his lecture with visuals via an internet connection to our Vancouver audience.
The Cotton Road: Part 3
Apr 15, 2009
In part three Rosemary Crill explores India's trade with the west as the focus shifted from printed cottons to muslins and Kashmir shawls. She concludes her lecture by answering some questions from the audience.
The Cotton Road: Part 2
Mar 15, 2009
In part two Rosemary Crill explores India's cotton trade with the west. Printed cotton known as "chintz" changed the very fabric of life itself - especially in the British Commonwealth.
The Cotton Road: Part 1
Feb 15, 2009
In part one Rosemary Crill describes the scope and range of India's trade, its historic beginnings and describes in detail the commerce with the countries in the east.
African Textiles: The Heart of the Yoruba Part 2
Jan 15, 2009
In this lecture master craftsman Gasali Adeyemo fields questions from the audience about traditional techniques and about working in Africa and Santa Fe. Gasali concludes with a story about the role of clothing and cloth in life.
African Textiles: The Heart of the Yoruba Part 1
Dec 15, 2008
In this lecture master craftsman Gasali Adeyemo will open the evening with a description of his early life in Nigeria and tell how fibre art came into his life. As a participant of the Nike Centre for Arts and Culture, both as a student and later as a teacher, Gasali has a range of experience with traditional crafts. He will give a history of the famous adire techniques and illustrate how they relate to Yoruba culture with a compelling collection of slides.
Masters of the Art Part 2
Nov 15, 2008
Razzaque and Ismail are Khatris – a hereditary community of dyers and printers who live and work in the desert district of Kutch in Gujarat, India. They are joined by researcher Eiluned Edwards, who has lived, worked, and collaborated with them for many years.
Masters of the Art Part 1
Oct 15, 2008
Razzaque and Ismail are Khatris – a hereditary community of dyers and printers who live and work in the desert district of Kutch in Gujarat, India. They are joined by researcher Eiluned Edwards, who has lived, worked, and collaborated with them for many years.
Sheryl MacKay interviews Charllotte Kwon
Oct 01, 2008
In March of 2008 CBC radio's Sheryl MacKay came to the Maiwa Loft and interviewed Charllotte Kwon, Owner of Maiwa Handprints and director of the Maiwa Foundation. The interview aired on March 22 on Sheryl's program North by Northwest. We asked Sheryl if we could post the interview on our website and she agreed. So in this episode we present the original interview as it aired in March of 2008.
The Independent Artist: Working to Commission
Sep 15, 2008
Working to commission involves forming a special working relationship with a client. Large works for public spaces require working with architects, planners, and engineers. It involves navigating through time frames, budgets, and fire regulations. The challenge is not to compromise the creative process due to the added constraints. In fact the reverse can often be true: exciting creative ideas come out of problem solving within a working brief.
Reel and Weave: The Silkspinner's Story: Part 3
Aug 31, 2008
In part three Karen explores India and visits both the giant tusser moth and the Salvi community, makers of a famous double silk ikat known as Patan Patola.
Reel and Weave: The Silkspinner's Story Part 2
Aug 15, 2008
In part two Karen describes her experience in Laos and explains how weaving traditions are an essential part of Laotian culture.
Reel and Weave: The Silkspinner's Story Part 1
Aug 06, 2008
Karen Selk has been a textile designer and artist since 1972. Her primary focus has been weaving and fusing felt with silk. In addition to writing, photography, research and textile arts, Karen runs Treenway Silks from her Salt Spring Island Home.
From the Heart: A Weaver's Journey Part 2
Jul 22, 2008
Bhakti Ziek has the ability to talk to a group about her life as a weaver while making it seem as if she is sitting talking directly to each person about their own lives and intimate experiences. In this talk, she updates her journey, sharing how a tenuous, fine thread grew into her life line and the sometimes unpredictable path it has taken. Sharing both the triumphs and knots, periods of intense curiosity and spells of disillusionment, she will talk about ways of staying connected that she has found helpful in her struggle to remain involved, creative, and hopeful as an aging weaver, artist, and human being.
From the Heart: A Weaver's Journey Part 1
Jul 15, 2008
Bhakti Ziek has the ability to talk to a group about her life as a weaver while making it seem as if she is sitting talking directly to each person about their own lives and intimate experiences.
Kismet, Ajrakh, and the Fish of Knowledge: Collaborating with Craftspeople in India
Jun 15, 2008
In his episode Edwards tells the story of the events leading up to her first trip to India, how it felt to arrive, and how her life was changed by a meeting with the blockprinters of Dhamadka. The trip was profound and its effects were long lasting, Edwards shifted her focus from textile design to cultural anthropology. She spent the next 16 years researching the textiles of the Kutch Desert, collaborating with artisans, aranging exhibitions and studying traditional Ajrakh blockprints.
Recorded at the 2007 Maiwa Textile Symposium on October 17, 2007 Posted March 2008
Blueleaf Shibori
May 15, 2008
Recorded at the Maiwa School of Textiles Lecture series 2007.
The Working Traveller: Part 4 Q&A
Apr 16, 2008
In this, the final episode, John Gillow, Noorjehan Bilgrami and Charllotte Kwon address specific questions from the audience.
The Working Traveller: Part 3 Charllotte Kwon
Mar 16, 2008
In this, the third of four episodes, Charllotte Kwon speaks about how she started Maiwa Handprints and how this business led her to start working with craftspeople in India. Charllotte speaks about the Maiwa approach to craft and how it is designed to promote high quality work while at the same time protecting the artisan's livelihood. She also speaks about the the goals of her travel and how she has managaed the many challenges of working successfully in two countries oceans apart.
The Working Traveller: Part 2 Noorjehan Bilgrami
Feb 16, 2008
Noorjehan is an artist, textile designer, and researcher. Her interest in traditional crafts led to the establishment of Koel, a workshop that pioneered the revival of hand blockprinted fabrics in Pakistan. She was one of the founders of the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and its first Executive Director.
The Working Traveller - Part 1 - John Gillow
Jan 16, 2008
In this, the first of four episodes, John Gillow introduces his life and speaks about his passion for textiles. John is a well established author who has produced a wide range of title for the publisher Thames and Hudson. He is currently completeing a new title, Textiles of the Islamic World. Johnw is also a collector who has witnessed the changes in the Kutch Desert of India for Over 30 years.
The Mummies of Ürümchi: Textiles in Time
Dec 16, 2007
Local archaeologists working in Chinese Turkestan have uncovered numerous naturally mummified and spectacularly clothed bodies of Caucasians dating to the Bronze Age, 3000 - 4000 years ago.
Waiting for the Monsoon: Slow Clothes in India
Nov 15, 2007
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