ART

This exhibition explores how different cultures have interpreted the crazy collage aesthetic with Japanese kimonos from the collection of the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture and contemporary Indian crazy quilts from the collection of Shoba Imports.

The kimonos, c. 1920-1950, are single and double ikat-woven silk, patterned in the crazy collage aesthetic that many scholars believe inspired late nineteenth century women in North America to invent the crazy quilt. These examples testify to how the Japanese sixteenth century yosegire pieced patchwork tradition has evolved within woven textile forms. The kimonos show the influence of both art deco and mid-twentieth century modernist design in their collage-like patterning.

The contemporary Indian crazy quilts are palimpsests of exquisitely embellished, vintage cloth fragments showcasing the increasingly rare and extraordinary hand embroidery, beading and needle arts of the diverse regions of India. For several generations, textile-collecting businessmen have purchased partially worn textiles from villagers throughout India and engaged local artisans to repurpose them as quilts, wall hangings and pillows.

Over the past twenty years, Indian artisans have produced large-scale quilts in a crazy patchwork design that have preserved evidence of India's centuries-old textile design traditions. This exhibition is a special selection of these contemporary crazy quilts that preserve these exquisite vintage Indian fabrics.