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SFA to Open Andean Textile Exhibition
Sylvia Bierschenk - October 5, 2007
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Textiles dating from around 800 to the late 20th century are included in "The Threads of Culture: Andean Textiles Through Time," which will open in The Art Center @ The Old Opera House with a 6 p.m. reception Friday, Oct. 12.
The exhibition, curated by Michael T. Ricker, a Dallas-based independent scholar and collector, is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Art as part of the 2007-2008 Gallery Series. The Art Center @ The Old Opera House is located at 329 E. Main Street in downtown Nacogdoches.
"For centuries, the resourceful Andean weavers of the lands now generally defined by the borders of present-day Bolivia and Peru have invested their energy and talents in the creation of a wide range of beautiful but functional textiles," said Christian Cutler, director of SFA galleries. "The selections in this exhibition--from very old ceremonial textiles to more modern articles for attire--comprise an educational and stunning viewing of this art form."
The yarn used in the textiles and weavings were made from sheep's wool, cotton, and llama, alpaca and vicuña hair, and colored with natural dyes.
Andean history and society are inseparable from these textiles, which constitute a fundamental aspect of their culture, said Ricker. "While it was not uncommon, centuries ago, for Andeans to surrender precious food stuffs after a lost battle, they would destroy textiles rather than give them to the victorious enemy. Until recently, virtually every societal event was defined by the weavings worn by those attending."
The bonds between culture and the weavers are beginning to loosen, Ricker explained. "With these changes, the textiles created in the past have become not simply heirlooms, but powerful physical manifestations of their culture and history."
The exhibition also includes a group of silver shawl pins, a pre-historic weaver's basket, spindles, whorls and weaving-related items.
The Oct. 12 opening reception, hosted by Nacogdoches Junior Forum, will include a gallery talk by Ricker at 6:30 p.m.
After the opening, regular hours for the gallery will be 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The opening reception and admission to the gallery are free and open to the public.
"The Threads of Culture" is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Junior Forum, SFA Friends of the Visual Arts and Texas Commission on the Arts.
For more information, please call (936) 468-1131.