The Sustainable Textile Futures exhibition at the Embassy of Japan in London explores British and Japanese textile collaborations. Featuring 13 artworks by 15 artists, it emphasises traditional techniques like boro, sakiori, and shibori to promote sustainability. Curators Dr Kerri Akiwowo and Dr Chetna Prajapati hope to inspire visitors to rethink their relationships with textiles and fashion.
The Sustainable Textile Futures exhibition at London’s Embassy of Japan, curated by Dr Kerri Akiwowo and Dr Chetna Prajapati, showcases the creative collaboration between Britain and Japan. It highlights sustainable, traditional Japanese textile techniques that resonate with modern practices. The exhibition includes 13 works by 15 artists, emphasising methods like boro, kasuri, sakiori, and shibori, which promote durability and waste reduction in textiles.
Dr Akiwowo expressed her hope to inspire visitors to reflect on their relationship with textiles, encouraging questions around repair instead of disposal. “As technology pushes us towards a uniform world, it’s crucial to sustain rich traditions that shaped communities for centuries,” she said. The exhibition also examines the cultural exchange between Japan and Britain in relation to sustainability.
Among the featured works is “Crafting Barkcloth,” which utilises Uganda’s barkcloth and combines it with Japanese boro and sashiko techniques. The piece showcases the regenerative qualities of the Mutuba tree. Another piece, “Enzymatic Shibori,” merges biotechnology with traditional techniques, employing protease in fabric patterns inspired by shibori.
The exhibition also offers an interactive experience with a free-standing loom and showcases digitally printed garments and hand-dyed yarns inspired by Japanese techniques. This initiative stems from Loughborough University’s Diverse Voices in Textiles initiative, focused on inclusivity in textile discourse, as highlighted by Dr Prajapati.
The exhibition is free to the public until March 10, 2025, featuring lectures and workshops, promoting engagement with sustainable practices in textiles. The Embassy of Japan emphasised the global impact of the cultural exchange, saying it reflects shared values, particularly in context of the upcoming 2025 Kansai Expo.
The Sustainable Textile Futures exhibition highlights the importance of traditional Japanese techniques in modern textile practices. By fostering dialogue on sustainability and diversity, it encourages visitors to reconsider their approach towards fashion. The collaborative nature of this exhibition underscores the value of cultural exchange in shaping a sustainable future for textiles. The exhibition also serves as an important educational platform about combining innovation with traditional artistry, focusing on eco-friendly methods and inclusivity in textile design.
Original Source: www.lboro.ac.uk