Intricate Surface

int r i cate

su r fa ce

sarah wylan

Intricate Surface is the exploration of textiles and fibers representing ones culture. Fibers are created from a thread of plant tissue woven together to create a textile. This book allows one to learn the aspects of Japanese and African dyeing techniques, patterns and their meanings.

For much of human history textiles are described as the most precious and valuable possession a person can own. It is important to learn about textiles and their cultures in through and out an intricate exploration.

Japanese Shibori In this section of Intricate Surface, Japanese Shibori dyeing techniques are described from the culture of Japan. Shibori is known to resist patterns onto the fabric with indigo baths. Deep blue indigo dye is experimented while recreating ancient techniques.

The techniques of Shibori explored in this section include Arashi, Kumo and Itajime. The in and out process of traditional Shibori artisans is to experiment with a variety of patterns and meanings.

Shibori is significant due to its meaning to Japanese culture. Pattern techniques are created to represent the meaning of the dyed textile. The symbols on the opposite page are key patterns shown in this section of the book.

itajime

spider and cloud

rain storm and strong wind

arashi Arashi is a Japanese shibori pole-wrapping technique. The Japanese term arashi means storm. A storm inspired pattern is refelcted onto the fabric when dyed. The pattern is subtle but complex when given the full length of the cloth.

This diagonal pattern within the fabric suggests rain driven by a strong wind.

itajime Itajime is an ancient Japanese shape resist technique. The pattern is created by folding the fabric like an accordian then placing wood blocks or a flat shape to create a pattern.

Shapes in between the layers of fabric are bound together by string and rubber bands. Depending on the amount of rubbers bands or shapes used the less or more of indigo dye will be seen.

The result of Itajime is a circular form resisting onto the fabric creating a contrast between the fabric and indigo dye.

kumo Kumo is a twist and bind resist technique created with pebbles or rocks connected by rubber bands. This is an ancient Japanese shibori technique known for its spider design. Throughout time, artisans have expanded the Kumo technique by varying the amount of binding to resist the fabric when it is dyed. Kumo techniques are created from the top to the bottom of the fabrics binding.The result of the Kumo technique, creates a surpise when the fabric is unbound with radiating lines against the white fabric.

When Kumos shape is resisted into the

fabric, the pattern forms the shape of a spider and cloud.

As you read through Intricate Surface, the process of in through and out will be reflected from Japanese Shibori to African Mudcloth. The importance of this book is to understand how different cultures reflect the same surface. Intricate Surface is comparing and contrasting the techniques used in Japanese and African culture with symbols and patterns. At this point the Shibori section is reflecting its style and aesthetic onto the Mudcloth section.

In this section of Intricate Surface, African Bogolanfini dyeing techniques are explored. African Bogolanfini also known as Mudcloth is created from a mix of mud and leaf baths dyed into the fabric creating a dark color. Once the cloth is dyed, a bleach solution is used to form shapes representing symbols of African culture. Mudcloth is important due to its meaning and the story it tells which is represented in this section.

African Mudcloth Mudcloth is significant due to its meaning to African culture. Symbols are formed into patterns when the dyeing technique is in use.

The symbols on the opposite page are key patterns used when dyeing mudcloth and are shown in this section of the book.

spindles

back of the sickles blade

love of family and community

good fortune

luxury and wealth

iguanas elbow The African mudcloth pattern displayed is iguanas elbow. Iguana’s elbow represents good fortune as well as a symbol for foreign powers.

wosoko

The African mudcloth pattern displayed is wosoko.

Wosoko was inspired by working farmers and created from the back of a sickles blade. Today, the wosoko pattern is used to create upholsteries, tapestries and hand-woven rugs.

spindle The design represents a spindle. Spindles were used to weave fabric and cloth into patterns. In Mali, Africa, this pattern is a traditional design.

It is used today to create a modern twist for interiors and home decor.

family and community The mudcloth pattern shown represents the pattern of family and community. This is an important symbol within the Mali culture. The representation of the outer circle is defined as the home and the inner circle is defined as community. Family and community are important within all cultures and creates a sentimental pattern within the fabric.

luxury Luxury and wealth is described as the significance of ones relationship to their family and cultural heritage. The use of this pattern signifies the status of women’s wealth in Mali, Africa. This pattern can be seen on seat cushions and womens garments.

Sarah Wylan is a graphic designer from Kansas with a passion for textiles and design. She enjoys experimenting with problems in design to create solutions by working with various materials and new techniques. When Sarah isn’t designing, she is spending time thinking about what her next move will be and drinking a glass of red wine.

int r i cate

su r fa ce sarah wylan