CALICO: the EXHIBITION vol.5
Shamji: the Vankar The World of Shamji the Weaver
2025/1/22-2/16
at CALICO: the BHAVAN
491-5 Zoshicho, Nara City Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
For the first time in seven years, we will be inviting Vanker Shamji Vishram from Kutch, Gujarat, who continues to practice simple weaving while researching natural dyes and traditional fabrics.
As Indian handmade fabrics came into the spotlight, there was a trend to produce a lot of things indiscriminately and develop them, but he was the first to start utilizing materials that no one had paid attention to, such as native cotton and local sheep wool, and he visited the Labaris who had been his father and grandfather's customers, to study the spinning and weaving of the traditional lac-dyed fabrics that had once become extinct.
He also studied indigo dyeing, which is not originally their tradition, and started to make his own indigo dye using natural materials. Although it is a weaver's house, it is now known as one of the leading indigo dyeing workshops in India.
Their approach of unraveling traditions and learning from the old, while carefully attempting to create new things, has a quiet influence and gives hope to weavers all over India who work steadily to create their products, ignoring the hustle and bustle of the markets.
I look forward to meeting him in various locations and also with you all at Bhavan in Nara.
1/22 Wed 14:00-17:00 Shamsie's talk and demonstration
At CALICO: the BHAVAN at the foot of Mount Wakakusa in Nara, we will talk to Shamsie and introduce the local work from 14:00. We will also demonstrate hand spinning with spindles and mobile charkhas using original wool and Kara cotton, and hand weaving with a loom. Participants can also experience hand spinning.
The participation fee is 1000 yen (cash only). For reservations, please contact calicoindiajp@gmail.com. Please write "Shamji's Event" in the subject line, and include your name, phone number, and other details.
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