QUICK PICKS: Summer Delights - Textiles, Wearable Art

Summer!  And what to wear?

No problem; scroll down and we're sure you'll see something cool and stylish, something impossible to live without!

We're calling this post a Quick Picks because, unlike the in-depth commentary in our monthly Gallery Picks Newsletters, these will be primarily visual festivals, photo-heavy and text-light, intended to offer a tantalizing glimpse of the Gallery's latest arrivals.

Wearable Art is today's feature, specifically the designs of three textile artists, all of whom work in three great Asian textile traditions:  Batik, Shibori and Vintage Kimono textiles (which include embroidery and shibori).  All three artists utilize these traditions tested over the ages, but they are also influenced by contemporary designs and the artists' connections to the United States.  For example, the artist behind David.Bali was the Head of Artists Trust in Seattle, working with Balinese textile artisans; Mary Jaeger studied shibori for years in Japan, and is now creating her beautiful textiles in New York City; and Chiho Kuwayama (of Chiho Couture) creates modern couture inspired by her cultural traditions for the Japanese and international fashion market.

We've included the work of several jewelry artists as well, so don't wait a second longer - scroll on down!

(And as always, click on the links to go to the Gallery's online Shop for further details.)

WEARABLE ART - TEXTILES

DAVID.BALI

David's Serape

(A best seller, and we only have one!)
And ... oops... it is already

Hippari (Kimono Jackets)

Hand-drawn Batik
Left to Right:
Black and White Mums design
Indigo and White Mums design
Indigo and Beige Geometric design
Black and White Stones design

T Canda, Baju Canda, Kurta

Hand-drawn Batik
Left to Right:
T Canda, Taupe and Black Stones design
Baju Canda, Beige Oblongs on Brown Background design
T Canda, Indigo and White Leaves design (3 Sizes)

T Canda, now:

Kurta, Indigo and White Stripes design
Kurta, Indigo/Beige/Black Box design

Caftan

Caftan, Black and White Geometric design - now:

(Shown with Begona Rentero necklace)

Selandang (shawls, wall art)

Hand-drawn Batik
Above:
Shown in a long drape, Left to Right:
Indigo and White Stripes design
Black and White Geometric design
Selendang Bangladesh: Indigo and Gold Tumpal design

Below:
Shown flung across the shoulders, with flair!
(Center:  With Cihak terracotta ceramic necklace)

They can also be used decoratively; as a wall hanging, for example.

T Canda, Selendang

Another way to wear the selendang, at the hips like a sarong,

paired with a lovely top that is color-coordinating.

A quick peek at a recent trunk show:

The textiles are fabulous, as always, and we also
are very fond of the big wooden Buddha head!


MARY JAEGER

Florence Shirtdress Jacket

Three views of Mary's fabulous Florence Shirtdress jacket,
indigo/white shibori, entirely hand-done.
The detail work is stunning.  In a nutshell, though, Mary's
textiles are so wonderful, they need to be touched
to be well and truly appreciated.

Tiger Scarf

A gorgeous  scarf named Tiger and some of the many ways to wear it.
(Can also be used as wall art.)

More of Mary's items will be coming to the shop soon.


CHIHO COUTURE

Skinny and Infinity Scarves

From Chiho Couture's collection of Vintage Kimono fabric
come these gorgeous long scarves, Left to Right:

Skinny Scarf, Chrysanthemum design:

Infinity, Black and White Contemporary Chrysanthemum design
Infinity, Indigo and White Water, Bamboo and Flowers design
Skinny Scarf, Cherry Blossoms design

Infinity, Black and White Landscape design
Skinny Scarf, Turquoise with Mountains and Black Chrysanthemum design:

 

In the same order as above:  a close-up look at the
kimono fabric and motifs (so beautiful!):

WEARABLE ART - JEWELRY

JOAN CIHAK

A Seattle ceramic artist's lovely handmade jewelry items,
brand new to the Gallery:  Welcome, Joan!

Porcelain Necklaces

 Porcelain necklaces, Left to Right:

Indigo and pale celadon Porcelain Flower and Leaf

Indigo and pale celadon Porcelain and Glass

Indigo and white Porcelain Pendant

Terracotta Bead Necklaces

Terracotta beads make for bold, chunky necklaces!
Left to Right:

Black, Red and Textured 5-Stone Necklace

Black, Red, Cream and Textured 5-Stone Necklace

Red, Cream and Textured 3-Stone Necklace

From the Gallery's own collection:

Mali Glass Bead Necklace

Stunning Mali beads from Africa, threaded on
leather, sold individually in two colors, Cobalt and Aqua.
These are just gorgeous, great accent pieces that transcend
summer jewelry and can be worn singly or as a group,
in one color or mix them up.

Thanks again for stopping by; if you're in the area, please come in and meet these wonderful pieces in person.  In the meantime, we hope you enjoyed this Quick Picks post, and we'll be back soon with another!  (And of course, the next Gallery Picks Newsletter is on its way...so come back soon!)

~S. Roth