9th August - 27th September 2008Hawick Museum
Wilton Lodge Park
HAWICK
TD9 7JL
Tel: 01450 373457
Fax: 01450 378506 Opening Times - 21st March - 30th September
Monday to Friday: 10:00 to12:00 & 13:00 to 17:00
Saturday & Sunday: 14:00 to 17:00 Free Admission
The exhibition has been originated by the Collins Gallery in collaboration with the three main feltmaking associations of Mongolia: The White Circle Centre, Duuren Sanaa and the Sukhleg Felt Studio, all based in the capital Ulaan Baatar and each supported by the Mongolian Arts Council. ‘Felt Nation’ represents the first major exhibition of contemporary Mongolian felt to be shown in the UK and will comprise a broad range of work from functional to decorative by leading makers, selected by Laura Hamilton (curator, Collins Gallery) during a research visit to Mongolia in 2007, in partnership with the three group directors and Swedish curator and collaborator , Gunilla Paetau Sjoberg. It initially evolved from a visit by members of the Scottish Felters to Mongolia in 2005, to attend the White Circle conference and to explore and experiment felting techniques as well as exchange idea with local specialists .
Although feltmaking is more of a craftform than an industry in Scotland, it nevertheless draws on an abundant resource of wool and offers an alternative means of utilising a material traditionally used in the now declining weaving and knitting industries. In comparison, the Mongolians or “people of the felt walls” have produced and developed felt for over 2,000 years, making it an integral part of their lifestyle, embodying clothing, containers, furnishings and the very structure of their homes or gers. It has always and indeed remains , an important form of currency. Many of the traditional applications were suppressed under the Soviet-backed socialist regime but since 1990, the Mongolian government has actively encouraged a nationwide review, revival and expansion of the craft. The consequent developments in applications, new techniques and the integration of traditional with contemporary motifs, have created an exciting and innovative body of work of an international calibre. The exhibition will present an overview of current practice alongside an exploration of the roots of this indigenous artform , concerning processes, customs and taboos associated with different parts of the country, materials, the origins of the complex , geometric patterns and abstracted animal motifs, as well as the symbolic uses of colour, embroidery and appliqué. Exhibits will include : fashion , accessories, rugs, hangings and a half sized ger. Resource material will comprise : graphics of common designs, samples of different types of felt (made from camel hair, goat hair, sheep’s fleece, natural and chemically/organically dyed ), documentary films of traditional and contemporary processes produced by the Scottish Feltmakers and by the Sukhleg Felt Art Studio, and translations of poems pertinent to feltmaking traditions, collected by Professor L. Batchuluun, author of the internationally recognised, academic monologue: “Felt Art of the Mongols”. Supported by:Full day seminar on Saturday 10 mayWith illustrated presentations by : Jenny Mackay, Scottish Feltmakers , Gunilla Paetau, International Feltmakers Association, Stephanie Bunn, Dept Anthropology, University of St Andrews , Djorjkhand, director of Duuren Sanaa, and Munkhtulga, director of the Sukhleg Felt Art Studio.Masterclasses 12 & 13 may (2 days duration)1 : Felt fashion construction with Bayanaa, director of the Mongolian White Circle Felt group2 : Felt painting with Munkhtulga, Sukhleg Felt Art Studio Demonstrations Visiting Mongolian makers will provide demonstrations, free of charge, during gallery opening hours.These will include traditional rope braiding, paper-cutting and organic dyeing. For further information/booking forms please contact the Collins gallery direct :University of Strathclyde, 22 Richmond st, Glasgow G1 1XQTel : 0141 548 2558Email :
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