Fabric of Life

Textiles become metaphors, they display ancient symbols and styles and showcase traditional methods and techniques in ‘Fabric of Life’.

An Arts Association Heritage Trust exhibition in association with The Village Boardroom featuring fabric by Rudolph Seibeb, Maria Caley, Mielja Magobelilo, Filipus Sheehama, Lynette Diergaardt, Linda Esbach, Trudi Dicks and Nina Lawrin.

Presenting weaving, patchwork, quilting, tie-dye, crochet and making use of cotton, plastic, linen, bamboo and wild silk, ‘Fabric of Life’ is a multifarious offering that reintroduces patterns from the early 1800s in Linda’s majestic wedding quilt and incorporates West African Adinkra symbols in miniature digital Dobby loom weavings by Lynette.

Educational and expansive with regard to textiles as visual art, decoration, installation, cultural items and allegory, the exhibition also features Mielja’s ironic, blue and cracking ‘Drenched in Drought’ and Filipus’ repurposed ‘The Secret Identity’ in which the thin lines of tribalism, nationalism and capitalism are interwoven with the poverty and disparity of Namibian society.

Swinging slightly in the breeze at The Village Opera House is Maria’s ‘Obstruction 34’. A brown, perforated drape through which the artist goes against her natural inclination towards construction to explore that of deconstruction as it relates to her marginalisation for being a black, unmarried woman.

Working in print and paper and crochet, Trudi’s ‘My Red Dresses’ is porous, red and rough to the touch in a piece that reflects itself and the hue of Linda’s immense, floral and hopeful ‘I’d Promise You a Rose Garden’.

As elegant are two muted and slightly undulating squares titled ‘January’ and ‘Rosina’ woven by Nina who believes “weaving and reweaving is the process of life; a metaphor for perceptions, boundaries and memory that is fluid, and constantly informing and redefining the stories of our lives”.

Breathing intricacy and life into textiles whether through Rudolph’s sombre patterns or Lynette’s personal infusions and investigations, ‘Fabric of Life’ is refreshingly uncommon and entirely tasteful.

‘Fabric of Life’ will be on display at The Village Opera House at 18 Liliencron Street until 28 July. Contact Elize van Huyssteen on aaht@iway.na for more information.

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