Review: Threads That Weave the World

Talks & Presentations

Review

Written by Christine Turner for Friends of Te Papa
Published on 5 Oct 2022

Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob share a passion for textiles and the associated crafts of weaving, dyeing, embroidery, bead work and needlepoint, and the Friends of Te Papa were privileged to be given an in-depth tour of an amazing, colourful collection, beautifully displayed in the Thistle Hall, Cuba Street.
In their travels through India, South East Asia and other parts of the world, the couple had realised that the generational knowledge, skills and techniques were slowly disappearing, some indeed had already been lost. So, when Covid halted international travel, they turned their minds to what might be done to raise awareness and understanding of the cultures and heritage behind the craft work. This exhibition showcases the crafts and, in turn, is a celebration of the diversity of New Zealand’s population.

Shani shows the use of traditional motifs in contemporary designs.

World Textiles exhibition in WellingtonAs Wellingtonians, we are well aware of the variety of cultures that make up the city, through cultural events, food festivals and the many ethnic eateries, but it was fascinating to see the fabric of the community represented through such a rich display of textiles, attires and accessories from Pacifica, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, India, China, Bhutan, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Africa, Guatemala, Peru, Japan, and Ghana, to name just a few.

The exhibition features more than 60 items, many from Shani and Joji’s own collection, as well as several loaned from private collections, and others generously gifted.

Shani shared her deep knowledge of how the cottons, wools and silks are woven and dyed, the patterns of the ikats and double ikats, and the stories that lay behind the individual exhibits. From the traditional black Yemeni wedding dress with its intricate metal embroidery to the Scottish bag-piper’s kilt and the snake charmer’s quilt embroidered in snake designs unique to the Saami community in Sindh province, Pakistan. And the charming woollen wall-hanging from Lesotho – who knew there were sheep in Lesotho?

The colourful saris from Rajasthan, the ceremonial Japanese hakama with a silk-lined haori jacket, the Chinese double-sided embroidery silk on silk, basket work, hats and bags, took us on an armchair journey of the globe. The vibrant woollen wall hangings by New Zealand weaver Yvonne Sloan reminded us of our own craft heritage.

We are grateful to Shani and Joji for their generosity and time in mounting the exhibition, and we left with a deeper understanding of the complex beauty of threads.

Related Talks & Presentations

Colour me Indigo

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. 

Sari to Sarong

What is the common thread that ties India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia? It is the ‘Ikat’ weave. The word ‘Ikat’ means ‘tie’ in both Indonesian and Malaysian languages and refers to the tie and dye weaving technique which has been used for centuries to create beautiful artisanal Ikat handlooms.

Indian Fashion: Old is New

Let us take you on a colourful and breathtaking virtual trip to India to see how Indian fashion (clothes, jewellery and accessories) has evolved over the years and the impact it has on the international fashion houses to this day. More and more Indian designers are embracing the traditional handloom weaves, tie and dye, block-printing, embroidery, metalwork … 

Our Monthly Newsletter

Be connected with us