Chapel Arts

TALK Indigo: Magical Blue of Chinese Minorities

This Event Takes Place @ Chapel Arts, Cheltenham (Chapel Arts, Knapp Road (Near St. James Square), Cheltenham. GL50 3QQ)

Martin Conlan has been traveling for over 35 years to minority areas in southwest China.

His talk will explore the various local production processes of indigo dye among different minority tribal groups in southwest China. It will also look at the many uses of indigo, both ceremonially and everyday, and will discuss the central role it plays in many of these communities.

In this region, indigo has a ’spiritual’ nature which reveals itself during all the main events in the cycle of life. Examples of traditional indigo batik and other resist dyeing, as well as weaving and embroidery will be explained.

Many examples of indigo textiles being discussed will be available for viewing (and purchasing).