‘Tales of Malabar’, a project funded by the Dutch Consulate General and the Embassy, New Delhi, looked at the history of the Malabar region in India. This project payed homage to the idiosyncratic culture, history and rituals of the diverse people and religions of the Malabar region that were influenced by trade and cultural connections. For this project, a harmonious exhibit had to be created, that explained the history and culture of the Malabar region, designed especially for a travelling museum within Kerala, which meant that the final outcomes had to be easily transportable and storable.
Shibori
Dyed samples on cotton and silk using different methods
Nui Shibori uses stitching to create intricately dyed patterns. After a design is stitched in to the fabric, the threads are pulled tight and are tied together. The part of the fabric that is stitched remains undyed.
Nui Shibori on cotton
11.8" x 9.8"
Nui Shibori on silk
11" x 8.5"
Itajime shibori is a shape-resist technique where the cloth is sandwiched between two pieces of wood, which prevents the dye from penetrating the fabric they cover.
Itajime Shibori on cotton
8" x 8"
Itajime Shibori on silk
10" x 10"
In Arashi Shibori, the cloth is folded or twisted around a pole. String is wound around the fabric on the pole tightly and then the fabric is compressed along the pole.
Arashi Shibori on silk
20" x 4"
Kanoko Shibori, also known as "Tie and dye" involves gathering the fabric into sections and tying them with string. The tied up fabric remains undyed.
Kanoko Shibori on cotton
9" x 9"
Kumo shibori involves wrapping sections of the fabric around objects and tying them with string.
Kumo Shibori on cotton
8.5" x 8.5"