Cultural Exhibitions
Fibre2Fabric
Fibre2Fabric is a non-profit gallery that focuses on hand-crafted textiles as a way to explore and explain Lao culture. We curate three exhibitions a year, each subject taking an in depth look at techniques and the cultural importance of textile production.
Previous exhibition: The Silk Road; Silkworms to Nagas
A journey through silk cultivation in North West Laos and the legendary Nagas of the Lao-Tai people.
In the foothills of the Annamite Mountains, millions of silks worms are eating their way through tonnes of Mulberry leaves. This exhibitions follows their story, even after the silk worms are long gone their earthly efforts are spun, dyed and woven into a myriad of motifs, the most illustrious being the Naga.
Current exhibition: The Story of Hmong Batik
Batik is a resist dye technique created by wax drawn motifs. The technique has been practiced for over a thousand years from South America to Africa; Indonesia is accredited with its origin, due to Dutch trading. Traditionally, Hmong people use hemp as a base fabric. The batik design is used for clothing such as skirts and household items such as blankets.
This exhibition explores the culture behind the batik motifs of the Hmong people of Laos.
Featuring Mrs Zu and Mrs Zong of Ban Phahat, Xam Tai, Northern Laos.
Next exhibition: The textiles of the Oma people
There are four Oma villages in Laos, found in Phongsaly Province. This exhibition will explore the social role of their embroidered textiles.