Four cloth based works from the Tansa miniatures exhibition

 

These four miniature works were all inspired by a textile research trip to Japan and form part of an exhibition at the Crafts Study Centre in Farnham. One of the highlights of the research trip was a visit to the studio of Jun Tomita www.juntomita.com and for this exhibition he has woven this beautiful piece entitled ‘P. Kasuri No. 237’ which is subtly shaded and folded to reveal the patterns within it.

‘Fleeting impressions’ by Gina Pierce www.ginapiercedesign.co.uk recalls the myriad experiences of the research trip and the layers of memories that remain and continue to inspire.

Chika Ohgi was our guide to the town of Arimatsu, its museum and shibori workshops. This piece ‘Twisted checked pattern’ recalls that day and uses the technique of ita-jime shibori to produce the check patterned cloth which is twisted to form new shapes.

Another highlight of the tour was a visit to the workshop of Yasumasa Komiya, a Living National Treasure, where we saw him and his son carrying out the painstaking Edo Komon stencil printing process. For this exhibition Yasumasa Komiya exhibits three squares of precious dyed cloth that reveal intricate pattern stories when seen close up. The work is entitled ‘Kobukusa presentation cloth’ referencing the precious squares of cloth used in the tea ceremony.

There’s still time to see the exhibition ‘Tansa – Japanese threads of influence’ which runs until 26 March at the Crafts Study Centre, Farnham, and then travels to Gallery Gallery in Kyoto.