Textile Treasures

When I went to my last local rug hooking meeting, I only expected to work on my rug and have fun. 

I had NO IDEA what would be waiting for all of us who attended. 

We were treated to an incredible show of rugs from Turkey, China, and Iran by one of the members, Elizabeth Vierling.  Dr. Vierling is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, but she is also a rug maker and clearly has a passion for textiles.  I took a million photographs...unfortunately my memory of her very informative commentary on the origins and purposes of each piece is fading fast, but here are some of the photos.  Enjoy!

I believe this first piece was from Turkey.  It is very large and I think Elizabeth uses it as a rug in her home.  It is embroidered, using a couching stitch I think (see detail in last photo).  Probably circa mid 20th-century.

The color work is just sensational.  After ogling the piece (above) for a good long while, we all decided we are not using enough orange in our own designs. 

Apologies in advance to Elizabeth for how much I have already forgotten of what she said about each textile.  Her commentary on where she located each one, where and how each was created, and what each may have been used for, was fascinating.  But in the week since I saw these works, all of her commentary has started to slide right out of my head.  Darn!

If memory serves me--which likely it doesn't--below are two clothing panels embroidered by the Miao people of China (one of China's long-suppressed minority groups, now finally beginning to emerge and be recognized for their rich history and cultural treasures).

(We'll get to the embroidered pillow behind this piece later in the pictures)

Although the lighting is very different (my poor photography), I believe this is a detail of the dragon on the piece above. Amazing work.

And if that weren't enough, there was more, and more still...click on each thumbnail to progress through the items, or just hit "Play."

 One of the most dramatic textiles was the one below.  I loved these tiny aliens.  The work is so beautiful, and the colors vibrant.  Each thumbnail has a different view (or you can just hit "Play").

Elizabeth travels for academic conferences, and is occasionally able to extend the travel time in order to take in more of the culture of the countries she is in.  This is why she has been able to explore and research textiles on some of her trips. 

Aren't we fortunate--those of us who were there to see this show?  With thanks to Elizabeth for letting me photograph and post the photos, for her lively talk and especially for lugging all the heavy, bulky textiles to the meeting.  All of her hard work resulted in a fabulous experience for the rest of us.