2011 Maiwa Textile Symposium Workshop

Akemi Nakano Cohn
$225 (Includes $60 Lab Fee) Two full days
November 3 - 4 (Thu - Fri) 10am - 4pm
Maiwa East - 1310 Odlum Dr., Vancouver, Canada Class Limit 14

Explore pattern on fabric through the magic of the ancient Japanese resist technique known as shibori. Shades of indigo blue have been applied to textiles for hundreds of years, yet the blues and patterns given by indigo and shibori still have a contemporary look which works well for modern clothing and interiors.


In this workshop students will learn to master the various shibori techniques such as stitching, pleating, twisting, clamping, wrapping, folding, and binding. They will apply these techniques and then learn how to prepare their own indigo dyepot and dye each item.

The excitement of removing an item from the dyebath is matched only be the satisfaction of creating stunning patterns through the application of these ancient techniques.

Historic and contemporary textiles and art will be discussed through slides.

Akemi joins us from Chicago to give this workshop.

Akemi Nakano Cohn

Akemi Nakano Cohn describes herself and her art as follows: “I am interested in observing a condition of adaptation and memory among plants, animals, and humans in their environment. Nassen technique, which is based on traditional Japanese rice-paste resist printing, is used in the majority of my work. The nassen technique adds a dye to the rice paste to create both colour and resist simultaneously. When using katagami cut-out stencil paper, I remark on the empty shape left behind after cutting. This ‘negative space’ indicates the trace of its existence. Negative space is evidence of a memory. My work is an attempt to understand memory based on this process and inner observation.”

In 1985 Akemi concluded private study of traditional Japanese printing and dyeing techniques with Master Haru Izumi in Yokohama, Japan. Since that time she has pursued an extensive series of international exhibitions and commissions and shared her knowledge through teaching and workshops.
www.akemistudio.com