This double-sided embroidery work, which was a technique that originated in China in 960 BC, is one of the pieces on display until 1pm this Saturday (Jul 28) at the HB Williams Memorial Library.
A cat stalks a praying mantis in this double-sided embroidery work (above) in which either side of the textile shows different pattern. The artwork is an example of some of the unfamiliar methods and styles in pieces on display until 1pm on Saturday in the HB Williams Memorial Library.
Gifted
by parents of six Beijing students hosted by Makaraka School as part of a friendship visit, the artworks are available for sale through silent auction.
The double-sided embroidery technique originated in 960 BC and is carried out by two embroiderers.
Used 200 years ago to store snuff this delicate bottle was hand-painted . . . from the inside. A specialised paint brush inserted through the neck of the bottle was manipulated to paint pictures, and often calligraphy, on the inside surface of the glass. The technique came to be known as nei hua, or “inside painting”. Snuff made from pulverised tobacco leaves inspired the art form during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The smokeless tobacco is believed to have originated with the aboriginal people of Brazil in the 15th century. European explorers brought it back to their home ports and later introduced it into China.
Possibly a little more familiar to Western eyes is this art form that originated in the Ming Dynasty. The work is created from reeds that are carbonised under high temperature then processed through 10 more steps such as ironing, pulp-removing, joining and bonding.
