Upcoming TALKS & PRESENTATIONS
A multi-media presentation with textiles and craft display.
Date: Thursday 15 June 2023 | Cost: $25 – $30 | Venue: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa
Includes refreshments and free parking
The ravages of Covid in India received worldwide attention a couple of years ago and many of us wondered how the craftspeople in both villages and cities were faring in these frightening circumstances. A part of our concern was that the beautiful handicrafts might also be decimated as a result of the pandemic.
With borders now open again and tourists returning, Joji and Shani have picked up the metaphorical threads of their connections in India and will talk to us about the impact of the pandemic on the handcrafted textile industry in India, how it has recovered and what changes the pandemic has led to.
We will also take in a dazzling display of textiles, arts and crafts from these artisans while we enjoy a glass of wine (included in ticket price).
PAST Exhibitions, TALKS & PRESENTATIONS
World Textiles Exhibition & Talks
Date: Tuesday 27 Sept – Sunday 2 Oct 2022 | Entry: Gold Coin Donation | Venue: Thistle Hall Community Venue, 293 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Friends of Te Papa Review
The Friends of Te Papa were privileged to be given an in-depth tour of an amazing, colourful collection, beautifully displayed… Read more >>
To appreciate and celebrate diversity within the wider Wellington Community and raise awareness of the decline of heritage and handcrafted artisanal works worldwide.
A creatively curated exhibition of unique and exquisite heritage textiles & crafts, with written and visual narratives from many corners of the world, will be on display at Thistle Hall. Many are personal collections of intrepid travellers who acquired the items directly from the artisans.
Wellington city is a melting pot of people from many parts of the world, more so than ever. The wider Wellington Community accepts and celebrates this global diversity through cultural events, food festivals and eateries which helps raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of each other’s culture and heritage.
This exhibition represents the fabric of our Wellington Community through a rich display of cultural and heritage attires, textiles, accessories etc., from NZ, Pacifica, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, India, Bhutan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Guatemala, Peru, Japan, Ghana and many more.
The generational knowledge, skills and techniques used to create these beautiful works are slowly disappearing in this modern age, and some are already lost.
Join us on this visual journey and immerse yourself in the rich and beautiful ways that different cultures have expressed the essence of who they are, where they live and what they wanted to portray through their works. We have learnt so much about our diverse & yet connected cultures, hope you will too.
We will also run a series of audio-visual presentations on selective days in the adjacent meeting room.
A creatively curated exhibition of unique and exquisite heritage textiles & crafts, with written and visual narratives from many corners of the world, will be on display at Thistle Hall. Many are personal collections of intrepid travellers who acquired the items directly from the artisans.
Wellington city is a melting pot of people from many parts of the world, more so than ever. The wider Wellington Community accepts and celebrates this global diversity through cultural events, food festivals and eateries which helps raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of each other’s culture and heritage.
This exhibition represents the fabric of our Wellington Community through a rich display of cultural and heritage attires, textiles, accessories etc., from NZ, Pacifica, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, India, Bhutan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Guatemala, Peru, Japan, Ghana and many more.
The generational knowledge, skills and techniques used to create these beautiful works are slowly disappearing in this modern age, and some are already lost.
Join us on this visual journey and immerse yourself in the rich and beautiful ways that different cultures have expressed the essence of who they are, where they live and what they wanted to portray through their works. We have learnt so much about our diverse & yet connected cultures, hope you will too.
We will also run a series of audio-visual presentations on selective days in the adjacent meeting room.
A multi-media presentation exploring NZ Culture through arts.
Date: Sunday 6 March 2022 | Cost: $25 – $30 | Venue: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa
Includes refreshments and free parking
This presentation will introduce us to Koji Miyazaki (Japanese jeweller), Sudi Dargipour (Iranian flooring textile designer) and Tamar Guse (Israeli fibre artist), three emerging ethnic artists who draw on their ancestry and heritage to create works of art. The talk shares their personal and professional journeys, and examines how their heritage has enabled them to develop their own sense of identity and style.
Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob have been travelling, meeting, interviewing and recording the artists. We will see how New Zealand culture evolves as various ethnic groups bring with them their various traditions, cuisine, arts and crafts, languages and ancestral heritage.
While some were already artists before they arrived in NZ, others turn to art to express who they are in a positive and creative way and, through that, develop an understanding of who they now are and their place in the new world.
Friends of Te Papa Review
Event Photo Gallery
20th Nov 2021 – A multi-media presentation on artisanal handloom textiles of India.
Our popular speakers Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob return to the Friends to take you on an intriguing journey of revival – not only bringing back to life the lost arts of fine cotton weaving and embellishment techniques but giving it a contemporary twist, so it can be worn and appreciated by a wider audience within India and international fashion platforms.
This multi-media presentation will enthral you with the story of fine cotton weaving from the east and west regions of India. One referred to as ‘woven air’, Jamdani was sort after by the Greeks, Roman and Portuguese centuries ago. Once only worn by the prince and princess of the mogul courts is now being reviewed with modern sensibilities.
The other fine technique, Tangaliya, a 700-year-old craft from Gujarat in the west, was handwoven and worn by the shepherd community but almost vanquished with the availability of cheaper machine-made fabrics. Thanks to a few remaining Tangaliya weavers, this traditional weaving art form has now being revived and is thriving.
Review: A princess and a weaver’s daughter
Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob have spoken on a few occasions to Friends of Te Papa and their presentations are always well attended and enjoyed by all. About 50 Friends attended this one. For several years they have taken trips to India and are passionate about supporting heritage crafts such as weaving and embroidery and the artisans who make them. Read more >>
A multi-media presentation on artisanal handloom textiles of India.
Combo tickets are available below, if you would like to attend an individual session please click on the title which will take you through to its individual booking page. Visit Friends of Te Papa site for more details on this presentation >>
Colour me Indigo
Thursday 26 September 2019, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
During the 2019 World of Wearable (WOW) Art season join us and speakers Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob to discover a world of traditional Indian textiles, their history, their connections and their future.
Indigo is an ancient dye that attracted the name ‘‘Blue Gold’ for its strong performance as a high-value trading commodity in ancient times as it was considered a luxury item. It has been used in many civilisations and was popular in Mayan, Egyptian, Japanese, African and Indian cultures. It still is a star performer in today’s fashion in the form of Shibori, tie-dye fabrics and of course the much-loved denim. There is more to indigo than its dreamy blues. Join us on this multi-media journey to uncover the world of indigo and enjoy some fun and entertaining facts that will make you see indigo in a totally different shade. Also, enjoy viewing the display of all things Indigo!
A link to accompany the Indigo talk www.atitravel.nz/indigo.
Read Review : https://www.friendsoftepapa.org.nz/features/indigo/
A multi-media presentation on artisanal handloom textiles of India.
Dear Shani and Joji,
We were the guest speakers at the Wellington Quilters’ Guild on Indian Textiles & embroidery
Thank you for a highly entertaining and informative talk. Your humour and the way you and Shani interacted was wonderful. The evening was full of information and seeing all the magnificent textiles was wonderful. We loved the way you interacted with our members and answered any queries, and loved your generosity in allowing us to look closely at and even touch your wonderful samples. Several people told me how they appreciated the map of India and the star of the states you were talking about
Again thank you for a great night.
Hi Joji, Hi Shani,
I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. I enjoyed the informal and friendly way you shared your knowledge. Your enthusiasm was very infectious.
Indian Textiles – The Tribal Route – Part 1
We would like to invite you and your friends to our interactive multi-media presentation on Thursday 31st May from 5.30 to 7.00 pm over at the Mezzanine Floor(same level as Clarks Café & next to the lifts) of Wellington City Library.
We can assure you that you will be in for a fun, lively, entertaining, exciting and yet informative session. The amazing feedback we have received from guests at our past presentations has spurred us on to do more talks.
During this presentation, we will take you on a virtual tour of exotic India as we always do but this time we will focus on the tribal communities, their lifestyles and their textile traditions.
We will also have on display, many types of textiles (cotton, silk, cotton-silk, Tassar silk, tribal etc) and embroidery (Kantha, Chikan Kari (trust us it is not chicken curry misspelt!), Zardozi, Aari, tribal etc.) that we have collected during our travels so you too can view and enjoy them before or after the talk.
Come along and join us and feast your eyes on India, it’s landscapes, its people and its centuries-old textiles art and in return, share your passion and knowledge of textiles or travels in India with us.
Ticket proceeds will be donated to Tribal Health Initiative (THI) located in Sittilingi Valley, Tamil Nadu, India.
THI is a non-profit organisation working to improve the lives of the tribal communities through a variety of programmes in health care, community health, farming and craft work. https://atitravel.nz/project/tribal-health-initiative/
Indian Textiles – The Tribal Route (Part 2)
Our last presentation on The Tribal Route – Part 1 was well attended and we received very positive feedback.
This is Part 2 of the series of presentation on Indian Tribes. During this presentation, we will take you on a virtual tour of exotic India as we always do but this time we will focus on the tribal communities, their lifestyles and their textile traditions.
Location: Wellington City Library Mezzanine Floor (on the same level as Clark’s Cafe but you need to walk across the ‘bridge’ towards the lifts on the opposite side of the floor)
We would like to invite you and your friends to this presentation which we can assure you will be fun, lively, entertaining, exciting and informative. The amazing feedback we have received from guests at our past presentations has spurred us on to do more talks.
Textiles & Crafts Display
We will also have on display, many types of textiles (cotton, silk, cotton-silk, Tassar silk, tribal etc) and embroidery (Kantha, Chikan Kari (trust us it is not chicken curry misspelt!), Zardozi, Aari, tribal etc.) and hand crafts that we have collected during our travels so you too can view and enjoy them before or after the talk.
Come along and join us and feast your eyes on India, it’s landscapes, its people and its centuries-old textiles art and in return, share your passion and knowledge of textiles or travels in India with us.
Ticket proceeds will be donated to Tribal Health Initiative (THI) located in Sittilingi Valley, Tamil Nadu, India.
THI is a non-profit organisation working to improve the lives of the tribal communities through a variety of programmes in health care, community health, farming and craft work.
Feedback
Hi Joji, Hi Shani,
I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. I enjoyed the informal and friendly way you shared your knowledge. Your enthusiasm was very infectious.
Up until then I have always been drawn to Indian textiles and appreciated the hours of intricate work and skill that must be needed to produce such work. I had no idea how it all happened or appreciated the different types of weaving and embroidery. The silk story from the caterpillar to the fine thread and it’s preparation for weaving was awe inspiring. Now, every time I see a piece of Indian Textile, I will see it in a different light. Knowledge is a wonderful thing and I am so glad I was able to have the opportunity to learn things from you that I had no idea about. It’s certainly inspired me to learn more. I think the content was just right, and it was really interesting to view the exhibits.
The other aspect of Indian Textiles that I was unaware of, and found really interesting, was its importance in the history of the world.
Thank you both for such an enjoyable experience. It was well worth the trip down from Levin.
It was really interesting, and I loved the samples.
Kia ora Joji
Thank you for the time and care you took to prepare for the presentation last evening.
I was not disappointed! I learnt a great deal – about the resources, methods – time honoured ones at that – and gained numerous insights into the rich array of Indian textiles.
Your interlacing video clips, the display of actual examples of the textiles discussed – and the enthusiasm, genuine interest and ready acknowledgement that you are both engaged, each in your own voyages of discovery added an important dimension – for me in your presentation.
It was a thoughtful presentation and one that has me keen to learn more.
Ngā mihi
My friends and I really enjoyed your presentation – we’re all interested in textiles and you have whetted our appetite for travel to India. If I could combine textiles with cricket then my husband would be keen too.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the u-tube clips of the artisans – fascinating to see the speed of the embroiderers.
It is the warmth of this family that permeates the experience as I am sure is also the case when travelling with them. I think it’s really important that visitors to another country make an effort to learn from the local people some of the cultural norms and expectations of travelling there. Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation and absolute willingness and generosity in terms of what will help me in my travels to India later this year.
India: Holy Cows, Cruises & Curries
We will take you on a virtual journey through the busy streets of India with meandering cows, to cottage leather industries producing designer shoes. Cruise along the Ganges while being mesmerised by the dancing oil lamps and chanting priests. Explore the delectable Indian cuisine, understand the uses and benefits of spices in Ayurveda.
India – Is it safe?
The greatest fears are around falling ill (“Delhi Belly”), personal safety, dangerous driving, being taken for a ride, being harassed, pick pocketing, abject poverty and lack of amenities to name a few.
Are these fears founded on facts or fiction?
Come and attend our lively, entertaining, fun and interactive multi-media presentation and raise any burning questions you may have about travelling in India.
Textiles of India
We would like to invite you and your friends to our free, multi-media presentation on Indian Textiles. Being ex-Toastmasters with a great sense of humour, we can assure you that our presentation will be fun, lively and entertaining whilst being informative and interesting.
We will also have on display, many types of textiles (cotton, silk, cotton-silk, Tassar silk, tribal etc) and embroidery (Kantha, Chikan Kari (trust us it is not chicken curry mis-spelt!), Zardozi, Aari, tribal etc.) that we have collected during our travels so you too can view and enjoy them before or after the talk.
So please, do come along and let us take you on a virtual journey through India, it’s landscapes, its people and its centuries old textiles art as we trace the Farm to Fashion trek. In return, share your passion and knowledge with us.
We had a great turn out at our first presentation on 11th March, 2016 at the same venue titled ‘The Real India’ and received very positive feedback. So we are confident that you will enjoy our presentation.
The Real India
The birthplace of yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, martial arts, religions, astronomy, astrology, plastic surgery, Sanskrit language, cotton, wool, chintz and much more – it is mystical, magical, monumental and fascinating.
Movies like The Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake, The Darjeeling Limited, Slumdog Millionaire, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and The Lunch Box have given glimpses of India.
There is much much more to India – fabrics, architecture, music, cuisine, arts and crafts, festivals, bio-diversity, traditions, philosophy, mythology etc.
Come and attend our lively, entertaining, fun and interactive multi-media presentation about our personal experiences of travelling in India.
Handcrafted India
Enjoy our interesting and varied display of textiles, arts and crafts from different regions of India.
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