TEXTILE ENTHUSIASTS GROUP (TEG)

TEXTILE ENTHUSIASTS GROUP

Do you enjoy looking at and learning about textiles?

TEG (Textile Enthusiasts Group) was formed to foster an interest in the myriad of Asian textiles among FOM members. Monthly events such as 'Shared Passions' encourages participants to share their knowledge and their love of textiles--how they were made, how they were used and the stories behind their acquisition. It is a way of learning from one another in a relaxed environment. We also invite specialist speakers and practitioners, make visits to textile-related locations for more 'hands-on' experiences and offer demonstrations, for example, in quilting and embroidery. However, one does not need to be an expert to enjoy our activities--as our name suggests--we are enthusiasts.

TEG is looking for new volunteers to join the Committee. If you are interested in a group that has very little pressure and lots of fun, please e-mail coordinators Digna Ryan and Shook Tan (email address: fomtegsingapore@gmail.com) for more details.

We are welcoming newcomers to Singapore at every meeting, so if you're new in town, and have an interest in textiles, please contact us at the above address to have your name added to the TEG mailing list.

Kantha embroidery


Date & Time:	Thursday, 26 January 2012, 10am - 12pm
Title:	Traditional Indian Kantha Embroidery
Our Program:	TEG kicked off the new year with a show and explanation of Kanda Embroidery by Divya Bidana on 26th January held in the amazing home of Connie Kirker our TEG Committee member. Divya deals in Indian crafts and she began by explaining what is Kanda emboidery from Bengal, India. She also brought a luggage load of pieces to demonstrate her talk. Before Divya could proceed very far in her speech, our Textile Enthusiasts delved into her pile of exhibits and Divya quickly obliged by explaining the special characteristics of each piece. Simply put, Kantha embroidery is executed in running stitch. Just by using this one type of stitch, interesting designs, geometric or otherwise, and floral & animal shapes can be created. The embroidery is usually done on fine cotton, gauze or tasser silk. Embroidered articles ranged from large pieces of hangings, bed-covers & saris to cushion covers, hand bags, stoles & dupattas. The embroidery pieces were exquisite & beautiful, all fully hand-embroidered. Some members also brought their personal Kanda-embroidered pieces to share with the group. Rosy came in a kanda embroidered sari. After we had examined the pieces, the ladies were invited to have a hand trying out the craft work on pieces of white napkins provided by Connie. The group was so enthusiastic & the novice works so surprisingly interesting that an ad hoc prize was given to the best embroidery (judged by Divya). The prize was a wooden carving of Guan Gong, a Daoist deity won by Madhu (a wonderful gift donated by our kind hostess for the event -- Connie). The morning concluded with tea & snacks by kind courtesy of Connie & Shook. All in all it was a pleasant morning of learning with some happy purchases, not forgetting the friendly social interactions. Another TEG event coming up in February to be co-ordinated by Digna. Watch out for the announcement ! Shook TEG co-ordinator

International Exhibitions and Updates:

The Business of Batik was held at the KLIB Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur on 9-11 December 2011. Click here for a copy of their brochure. Website: http://www.klib.com.my/main.php

World Batik Summer 2011
was held 28 September - 2 October 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. For more information visit the websites: www.ptmediatama.com or www.gelarbatiknusantara.co.id. You can also email: info@ptmediatama.com.

The 2nd Borneo International Beads Conference was held 7-9 October in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. For more information, visit www.borneoadventure.com.

The Washington DC Textile Museum's 2011 Fall Symposium on Central African Textiles was held on 14-16 October. The symposium took place on the campus of The George Washington University and featured renowned scholars and authors. For more information, visit www.textilemuseum.org/symposium.

Check out the new web-site: www.eastindiesmuseum.com. It shows Arts of the East with a special colourful gallery on textiles.

The Textile Society of Hong Kong (TSHK) has been disbanded, but a newsletter named Textiles Asia Newsletter has been launched by Bonnie Corwin, the previous editor of the TSHK newsletter. The newsletter was published three times a year. For more information, write: "Textiles Asia", P. O. Box 423, General Post Office, Hong Kong.

The National Textile Museum, 26 Jalan Sultan Hishamudin, Kuala Lumpur, has newly re-opened after being closed for some years. It is located in the corner building next to the historic Sultan Abdul Samad building opposite Dataran Merdeka.

Textile-happy visitors to Bangkok are strongly encouraged to keep an eye on the activities of the Thai Textile Society. This is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the study and appreciation of textiles, with particular emphasis on the textiles of Thailand and Southeast Asia. Membership is open to all textile enthusiasts. Many meetings are held on the premises of Bangkok's Siam Society. Visitors are welcome.

Washington DC's Textile Museum has announced that it will be moving to The George Washington University, becoming the cornerstone of a new museum at GW. Their new on-campus location will allow them to integrate the textile arts into the university curriculum. The affiliation also means a new home for the museum's collections in a state-of-the-art collections and conservation center. In addition, more robust web programming and online resources will engage audiences at home and abroad. FOM will keep you posted as more news and dates are announced.