Barbara Wisnoski –

Barbara Wisnoski’s pieces (better viewed in larger scale on her website) make a wonderful bridge between notions of craft and abstract art. On the one hand her work is aggressively organic, tactile and handmade but the overall effect is something more ethereal. Here’s an excerpt from her artist’s statement:

I am interested in the relationship between texture and time. The process of building a piece, whereby a fabric loses its singular quality and becomes part of the whole, reminds me of how time washes a harmonious patina over objects and memories. The prospect of decay is key to the work: seeing how pieces done long ago have changed over time reminds me that they were made from living fibres and, like us, evolve and deteriorate. Also like us, these pieces become more themselves, therefore more beautiful, with age.

Though very different overall her work reminds me of the quilts of Gee’s Bend, Japanese Boro textiles, and El Anatsui.

Les Toiles Du Soleil –

A new stateside source for stripes, stripes and more stripes: the 150 year old company Les Toiles Du Soleil just opened in NYC.

Via Cool Hunting.

Quilt Art & Inge Hueber –

For a concentrated dose of amazing stitch-work visit the website for Quilt Art, a collective of twenty professional quilters from Europe and the United States. German Inge Hueber is among them and her quilt High Tide Low Tide (162 x 178 cm) is pictured above. To see a detailed image of the quilt click here, then place your cursor over the image.

The Maharaja Tent Company –

A helpful comment received today on a previous dhurrie-related post points me to The Maharaja Tent Company (or just “The Maharaja Company” depending where you look on the site, though I prefer the sound of the former). In any case, they’re fabricators of Indian dhurries and “bespoke Raj style Indian tents”. Some dhurries are kept in stock and custom orders in standard sizes and colors can be produced quite quickly — three weeks according to the website. They can make full-on custom pieces too. They also have antique dhurries, like the one pictured above. I’ll leave the tents (glorious as they are) for separate exploration.

Lisa Corti –

It’s finally starting to feel a bit like summer in San Francisco but for anyone stuck for the moment with dreary weather (or a dreary schedule, or too much bad news on TV) Lisa Corti offers a perfect escape to a land of vibrant, life-affirming color.

Via Mandarine d’Italie.

Turkish Seraser –

Above, a detail of a 16th century kaftan from The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Here’s their description:

This magnificent panel from a kaftan is an example of very high-grade seraser production in Istanbul. Seraser is a cloth of gold and silver woven in a compound structure consisting of two warps and two or more complementary wefts. It was highly favored at the Ottoman court. The design of peacock feathers alludes to the bird who resided in paradise until he was expelled, along with Adam and Eve, for failing to follow God’s commandments.

Disregarding its deeper cultural and religious meaning for a moment, I’d like to regard the object simply on a visual level: The bold, stylized design! The buttery yellow with hints of green! Weekend eye candy five centuries old.

Iran, 13th Century –

News from Iran over the past three days has been quite absorbing, and it’s really a complete marvel to watch such dramatic and momentous events unfold from so many thousands of miles away. As I send my heartfelt wishes for the safety of all involved, I’m also reminded of the incredibly rich artistic history rooted in the region, one that makes American culture look very very young.

Above, a silk brocade attributed to 13th century Iran — from The Khalili Collections. Click on the slide show of their Islamic art collection to see many more amazing pieces.

Otomi Color –

Jacaranda sells a wonderfully graphic and colorful assortment of fabric created by Otomi Indians in Mexico. Matisse must have been channeling a bit of this when he began his paper cut-outs.

Via Katy Elliott.

Sally Campbell –

Designer Sally Campbell has produced her own line of “village made” textiles from India. Lots of colorful items and even a few neutrals. She also has a section of vintage pieces.

Furoshiki –

From the website by the same name:

Furoshiki is a type of traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that was frequently used to transport clothes, gifts, or other goods. Although possibly dating back as far as the Nara period, the name, meaning “bath spread”, derives from the Edo period practice of using them to bundle clothes while at the sento (public baths). Before becoming associated with public baths, furoshiki was known as hiradzutsumi, or flat folded bundle. Eventually, the furoshiki’s usage extended to serve as a means for merchants to transport their wares or to protect and decorate a gift.