Prepare to journey across continents and centuries with Shani Pillai & Joji Jacob, as they showcase four extraordinary textile traditions that transform humble fibres into unique expressions of culture! Our discovery takes us from the West of Japan to the South of Japan, then on to the Malay Archipelago (Malaysia & Indonesia), and concludes in Central Asia’s Uzbekistan.
In Ojiya City, Japan, the winter chill becomes an artisan’s instrument in crafting Ojiya Chijimi. In contrast, Nagahama City showcases Wana Velvet, an embodiment of 16th-century Portuguese opulence enhanced by Japanese creativity and precision. In Indonesia and Malaysia, the application of gold leaf on Batik transforms a resist-dyed fabric into a royal and ceremonial masterpiece. Lastly, the monsoon breezes guide us from the tropics to the arid landscapes of Uzbekistan, where artisans bestow a luxurious satin finish upon their Ikat textiles.
Join us on this colourful and intriguing journey!
Shani Pillai and Joji Jacob’s roots are in India; they are Kiwis, proud Wellingtonians & honoured to be Friends of Te Papa. This is their eighth presentation to the Friends of Te Papa on heritage textiles, arts and crafts. Shani hails from Malaysia and has a South Indian heritage, while Joji comes from Kerala, India. Both are deeply passionate about their cultural roots and are committed to preserving and sharing their traditions and arts. Their dedication has led them to develop and offer specialised tours to Asia. Their focus lies particularly in textiles, and they are actively involved in reviving and preserving heritage textile-related skills. This involves personally visiting artisans across Asia, as well as leading tour groups to support and acquire their work. Additionally, they provide funding for various community-based textile revival initiatives in different regions of India.