Tradition has always been a source of inspiration for contemporary designers and artists. In the ethnic tradition of textile, a re-connection to a people’s heritage, life ways, and belief systems is found through the motifs and patterns present on the surface of the cloth.
Textiles are integral to the personal, economic, socio-political and religious lives of the indigenous groups. There was often a connection between adornment of textiles and the person’s virtuous character. Each textile had a functional use, either to represent rank, power and wealth, virtue, or to enhance character. Used both in ceremony, ritual, and daily life, these textiles had meaning imbued by the material, choice of significant motifs, colors, and patterns
This exhibit puts together a variety of contemporary creations, retranslations, and reinterpretations of indigenous textiles. Either inspired from patterns, possibilities of material constructions or the material itself, designers and artists today are trying to celebrate, explore, and make our culture relevant today.
The exhibit mirrors original indigenous textiles and clothing from the collections of Floy Quintos and Al Valenciano. Among the contemporary translations and inspired works featured are paintings by National Artists for Visual Arts Abdulmari Asia Imao, Arturo Luz, and Hernando R. Ocampo; paintings by visual artists Ivi Avellana-Cosio, Roberto Feleo, Ricarte Purugganan, and John Frank Sabado; creations by couturiers Pepito Albert and Inno Sotto; fashion and accessories by fashion designers Amina Aranaz-Alunan, JC Buendia, Randy Ortiz, and Lulu Tan-Gan; sketches by stage and costume designer Gino Gonzales; a loveseat by furniture designer Ito Kish; and pieces from the designer collections of Silk Cocoon by Jeannie Goulbourn and Filip + Inna by Lenora Cabili.
Also on exhibit are the winning pieces of the winners and semifinalists of the Fashion and Design Council of the Philippines’ Weaving the Future Philippine Fashion Design Competition.
