The more I weave the more I am drawn to finer cloth and threads. To me the embodiment of fine weaving is India. I know other cultures weave fine items, but the Indian muslim holds a very special place in my heart and mind. I have been to India many times, and have bought many handwoven pieces. After I won the New Weaver 2024 a woman came up to me and asked if was going for the Mason, and where would I go. It had never occured to me that I would have a chance – but the seed was sown.
If you have every been to India you will know how difficult and simultaneously easy things are. Because of their interpretation of “Western” it is very difficult to get out of the “tourist zone”. They are convinced, this is what you want to see and experience. Having the right organiser with contacts is key.
The last three months of 2024 I spent researching and weaving. For the Mason (and any other scholarship, grant, or award) you need to present a portfolio and I worked hard at being able to submit the highest quality weaving I can currently achieve. At the same time, though, my organiser Joji and I were having almost twice weekly discussions on what I want to achieve and where I want to go, and where he thinks would be a good place to go, and when, etc.
Weavers in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal work their looms in much the same way as their ancestors. The pattern is placed directly under the weaving frame and motifs are ‘loom-embroidered’ with great skill. There are no sketches or outlines. The main body of the textile is woven in unbleached cotton yarn of a very fine count while the pattern is created in a heavier, bleached, thread. The contrast creates the illusion that the intricate, opaque motifs are floating over the transparent background.
I invite you to follow me on this journey, I will be posting regularly on what I am accomplishing in the lead up to my journey, and how I implement what I learned following. I will also discuss what I am generally working on week by week.
