Saw a fantastic exhibition of Boro textiles at Somerset House yesterday. The exhibition is on until April 26th. I thoroughly recommend it. I do not know where you will see such a large collection of this work again.
Such an inspiration in terms of the composition, texture and use of stitch.
From the website: This April Somerset House will host an exhibition on the Japanese textile tradition of Boro. Translated to ‘rags’ in English, Boro is the collective name for items – usually clothing and bed covers – made by the poor, rural population of Japan who could not afford to buy new when need required and had to literally make ends meet by piecing and patching. Generations of Japanese families repaired and recycle jackets and futon covers, handing them down to relatives and sewing their own sagas and stories through the threads. Despite still being looked upon unfavourably in Japan today, Boros are becoming highly collectible in Western cultures. Certainly Boros bear a striking similarity to work of many contemporary western artists. Can these once humble objects be considered works of art with their unique arrangements of shapes and beautiful hues of blues and browns, Boro will showcase 40 historic pieces in a new light within Somerset House. A collection never before displayed and compiled over the last six years.
