MAIWA

Friday, April 18, 2014

Workshop - The Stitch that Tells a Story

[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop The Stitch that Tells a Story (offered twice0

Janet Bolton

$295 includes 50 lab fee

First Class - September 14, 15 - Class Limit 15

Second Class - September 16, 17 - Class Limit 15

Maiwa Loft: Above the Net Loft, Granville Is. Vancouver BC

Cloth and stitch combine with a deceptive simplicity in this workshop taught by UK textile artist Janet Bolton.

Famous for her evocative textile pictures that convey the feeling of storybook illustrations, Janet aims to give each student the confidence to work directly with the fabrics at hand. That is, with an idea in mind, the student will select textures and colour combinations from available fabrics rather than working out a composition in another medium (painting or drawing) and then attempting to transpose that concept into fabric.

The class will discuss compositional ideas, subject matter, and the choice of suitable materials both old and new. Students will explore the idea of allowing the composition to develop and change as the work progresses, emphasizing the wonderful freedom and directness this way of working allows—right to the very last stitch. Janet will demonstrate “needle turning” techniques used to finalize the shape of the different components, the placing of those components, and the use of thread as a drawn line.

Janet will bring originals of her own work and a selection of pieces at different stages of development. She will also have various pieces that in her opinion have not been successful; these have led to many an interesting discussion!

The actual techniques are very simple: hand sewing at all stages. Each student will be given as much individual help as they need, particularly at the early compositional stage. After the general introduction, the whole emphasis will be on individual tuition.

The workshop will include advice on presentation of work, including framing, and will end with a group discussion on the works produced.

Workshop - Narrative Textiles

[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Narrative Textiles

Janet Bolton

$195 includes 35 lab fee

September 13 - Class Limit 15

Maiwa Loft: Above the Net Loft, Granville Is. Vancouver BC

This workshop is a comprehensive introduction to UK textile artist Janet Bolton’s direct way of working. The freedom that characterizes this technique permits students to explore their own likes and dislikes and find their own voices.

Although there will not be time to completely finish a piece, all necessary aspects, including presenting and framing the work, will be covered.

The workshop will start with a short slide show of Janet Bolton’s work. From there the class will discuss inspiration from the choice of suitable subject matter to the idea of allowing the work to change throughout its construction. The result is a way of working that is exciting to the last stitch.

Practical demonstrations of constructional methods, simple cutting of shapes, placing, and “needle turning” techniques augment the workshop.

All work is sewn by hand. Students will receive personal help throughout the workshop; this individual help is most important as there are no rules, no “correct” way of working. There is no right or wrong.

The class will finish with a group discussion of the pieces. Students will leave the class with an exciting work in progress, confident that they can complete the piece.

Workshop - Natural Dyes

[2014 Symposium registration opens on June 23rd at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Natural Dyes

Charllotte Kwon

$495 includes $120 lab fee

September 9, 10, 11, 12 - Class Limit 16

Maiwa East: 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver BC

What magic does the dyer use to coax colour from nature? Throughout the world this knowledge was guarded carefully, and learning the art often involved elaborate ceremonies and traditions. To this day, natural dyeing retains the same air of mystery and exotic intrigue that has compelled artists and craftspeople for centuries.

Charllotte Kwon’s passionate study of natural dyeing techniques has led her to visit and work with cultures around the world. In this workshop she shares her vast knowledge of natural dye history and use. In addition Charllotte offers insight into her own in-studio processes and demonstrates how to get the most from a range of dyes and fabrics. The student will obtain a good technical understanding of the mordanting processes and the varied uses of such dyes as indigo, cochineal, madder, fustic, and many others. Gorgeous Turkey reds, indigo blues, and Indian yellows are just a few of the colours achieved as students work on cotton, silks, wools, and linen.

The full spectrum of more than 80 rich colours dyed in class will form a source book for each student. These books are a great inspiration and reference for years to come. Students will also complete several natural-dye projects. A variety of shibori techniques will be used and then dyed with natural indigo.

This popular class has now been expanded to four full days.

This is a practical workshop with many vats and some lifting. As we like to put it: if you can get your suitcase on an international flight—you should be fine.

Instructor Bio

Charllotte Kwon is the owner of Maiwa Handprints Ltd. and the director of the Maiwa Foundation. Through Maiwa, Charllotte also runs a textile archive and research library located on Granville Island. Under her direction Maiwa has produced four documentary films and a number of print publications. She also guides Maiwa’s substantial web presence.

Charllotte travels extensively each year to research handcraft and to supplement her natural-dye research. Always looking to extend natural dye use, she also teaches dyeing workshops with artisans around the world and has planned a series of natural dye master classes to bring exceptional practising artisans together.

Workshop - Creative Map Making

[2014 Symposium registration opens on June 23rd at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Creative Map Making

Valerie Goodwin

$495 includes 65 lab fee

September 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, - Class Limit 14

Maiwa Loft: Above the Net Loft, Granville Is. Vancouver BC

Cross-fertilization between disciplines can enrich how an artist approaches her work. This workshop will focus on the basic principles of graphic composition used by many architects. Students will learn to create rich and complex arrangements using principles of scale, merging, layering/overlapping, ranking, and framing.

Beginning with a series of quick exercises, students will gain a grounding in the fundamentals of composition and begin employing the elements and principles of design.

Valerie Goodwin will work closely with students, guiding them to more advanced explorations that afford opportunities to experiment and invent. Valerie is well known for creating a flexible environment of encouragement, order, and inspiration.

Building on these creative foundations, students will tap into the right and left sides of the brain to design a thoughtful and imaginative composition from a distinctive perspective. Each student will create a cartographic art quilt that tells the story of a particular place.

Valerie Goodwin joins us from the USA.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Measure of All Things ...

The first items from our 2014 visit to India ...

have just arrived.

Above, a set of old brass market scales. The balance beam is approximately 2 feet long. These scales would have been used to weigh produce or anything else you might find in a public market. $249.00.

Below left, A set of market scales with bowls. The beam on this set is approximately 18 inches. $149.00. Below right a set of market scales with a cast iron beam. Beam length approximately 24 inches. $199.00.

Under these scales are some cast iron weights. These have seen a lifetime of use and are stamped with the location of the foundry where they were made. These weights are various sizes and range from $19 - $89.

Below, one of the most fascinating items we've ever seen. A heated tiffin carrier. The top of the main canister contains a stack of four tiffin pots. The bottom compartment has a hinged door that can be opened to reveal a drawer that would be filled with live coals. The top container is sealed and so could have water added to make a kind of travelling steam table. The wooden handles of this unit have a nice used feeling and the entire set-up is a marvel of fitted brass. The top cover has an indication of where the unit was made. Not presently food safe. $549.00

Maiwa East is an eclectic collection of furniture, found objects, antiques, and architectural pieces from India. It also features a limited selection of Maiwa's famous textiles.

Drop by and see what we have for you.

Open Thursday - Saturday

10am - 5 pm

Open Sunday

11am - 5pm

1310 Odlum Drive

Vancouver Canada

www.maiwaeast.com

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Workshop - Katazome

[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Katazome

Prof Masayoshi Ohashi and Reiko Sudo

$295 includes 80 lab fee

September 6, 7 - Class Limit 16

Maiwa East: 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver BC

Professor Masayoshi Ohashi studied under the direct tutelage of Japan’s first Living National Treasure, Keisuke Serizawa, and has since gone on to research and transmit traditional Japanese dyeing techniques to new generations.

Students will learn Keisuke Serizawa’s stencil-dyeing techniques using pigments on washi paper and natural indigo on fabric. First they will learn how to prepare sheets of mulberry paper for use as a stencil. They will then be taught the variety of techniques to create a successful stencil: cutting, the use of punches, and proper placement and design of imagery.

The class will proceed to reinforcing the stencil with fine silk netting. This is an art in itself, but a carefully made stencil, if treated properly, will last the artisan for many years. The workshop will conclude with paste resist and printing with the stencils.

This is a rare opportunity to connect with the lineage of Japanese master artisans. The course is co-taught by Reiko Sudo, of the famous Nuno Corporation, an innovator in fabric design and fashion.

Workshop - Ingenious Pattern - Rust and Itajime

[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop Ingenious Pattern - Rust and Itajime

Prof Masayoshi Ohashi and Reiko Sudo

$295 includes 60 lab fee

September 4, 5 - Class Limit 16

Maiwa East: 1310 Odlum Drive, Vancouver BC

This workshop teaches two separate techniques: rust dyeing and itajime clamp resist.

Rust Dyeing: rust comes from within. So says a Japanese proverb. But there is a sublime, extraordinary potential in the colours made as iron oxidizes.

When the process of rust is creatively combined with textiles, a beautiful world of texture and possibility is created. This world has been thoroughly explored by master textile designer Reiko Sudo. In this workshop Reiko will take students through the process that she herself has used to create her fantastic exhibition work “Scrapyard.”

Itajime Clamp Resist: Archaeologists have found scraps of tie-dyed cloth at ancient sites the world over. The basic idea is so simple. Shibori techniques seem to have occurred quite naturally to people at independent places and times (perhaps from observing how tightly twisted or knotted items stayed dry even when soaked). Methods gradually diversified as they spread. Equally widespread, methods of extracting colour from plants and other natural materials to dye yarns and cloth have been around since ancient times.

The two notions were easy to connect: water could carry beautiful colours almost anywhere, but how to stop it from staining certain places so as to make patterns? Constricting kept fibres dry where pressed tight, so why not tie threads and fabric selectively to resist dyeing?

In Japan, shibori dyeing traces back to the 6th or 7th century. From the Edo period (1600s) into the early modern Meiji era, a boom in indigo dyeing also encouraged the development of many different indigo shibori techniques. One of them is itajime-shibori “board-clamped dyeing” whereby cloth is folded up and pressed between squared or triangular boards, then dipped in dye baths to yield beautiful geometric patterns.

From Japan, the country of origami paper folding, we bring you an original way to dye fabric. This is a rare opportunity to connect with the lineage of Japanese master artisans. The course is co-taught by Reiko Sudo, of the famous Nuno Corporation, an innovator in fabric design, and Professor Masayoshi Ohashi, who studied under the direct lineage of Japan’s first Living National Treasure, Keisuke Serizawa.

Workshop - The Sudo Salon

[2014 Symposium registration opens June 23 at 10am.]

2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium

Workshop The Sudo Salon

Reiko Sudo

$100 includes 20 lab fee

September 3, - Class Limit 18

Maiwa Loft: Above the Net Loft, Granville Is. Vancouver BC

Under the directorship of Reiko Sudo since 1987, the Nuno Corporation has been responsible for making some of the most innovative textiles the world has ever seen. Rethinking both high- and low-tech approaches to cloth, Nuno took apart the very idea of fabric. When it was reassembled, Nuno had created unheard of textures, patterns, and forms.

The Sudo Salon is an opportunity to spend an intimate day with Reiko Sudo as she explains the conditions that enabled the Nuno Corporation to come into being and the philosophy that inspired them to master a range of experimental approaches.

Reiko Sudo will speak about the range of disciplines that come together in fabric design and some of the strategies that have been successful. In addition Reiko Sudo will have samples from her textile collection on hand.

Maiwa Textile Symposium - Celebrating 10 Years

Hard to believe that it was in 2004 that we started the first Maiwa Textile Symposium. That year we began with an ambitious set of workshops, lectures, and events. It was a good start. With each passing year we have added a little more and reached a little higher.

This year marks the 10th anniversary. We have a spectacular line-up for you.

The postings for the 2014 Maiwa Textile Symposium start today!

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

What's In-Store Now?

These are just some of the cabinets at Maiwa East.

We have many rows of cabinets in our warehouse space. Each piece is unique. Some are old, some are remade from salvaged hardwoods. All have personality.