Kimono - Pull My Thread Exhibition, Brantwood Museum
Pull My Thread - textile exhibition at Brantwood Museum 27 Jul - 22 Sep 2024
Chōwa means harmony in Japanese and represents the harmony of air over water, used in breath work to create organic Suminigashi ink marbling.
The idea for creating a traditional kimono began in 2021, with a visit to V&A exhibition "Kyoto to Catwalk", followed by research visits to Ashmolean and Derby museums and books. I created a shortened kimono pattern, working from end of roll, deadstock, Japanese habotei silk.
Close up detail double layered ink marbling, Rachel O'ConnellUsing Japanese habotei silk, which is very transparent, allowed for double layered ink marbling. This helped represent the movement of water over pebbles and water plants, offering movement in the pattern.
All-paper Kimono by Kazuko Sato, ShiroishiArticle by Eleanor Burkett on Japanese Paper Textiles and Threads, Text Vol 50, The Textile Society. Image shown is all-paper informal kimono, Morojifu Jinbei, made by Kazuko Sato, made from
Article from Anne Chambers - Japanese Art of Marbling, Anne ChambersDocument showing part of a poem written in the thirteenth century is on display in the Kyoto Museum. The poem is written on papyrus paper and decorated with Suminagashi ink marbling and silver.
Chōwa Kimono, flat lay, Rachel O'ConnellDoubled layered ink marbling on outer and inner lining of kimono. Inspired by the tiered gardens created by Joh Ruskin, the organic pattern represents drops of water, moving currents and glimpses of green and blue from the water plants and pebbles under the surface.
Chōwa Kimono and Obi, John Ruskin Studio, Brantwood Museum, Kathleen MullaniffSuminagashi ink marbled kimono and obi, hanging, displayed amongst British sustainable makers for a curated exhibition, 'Pull my Thread' by Blue Patch.