Photos by Lyn Hughes, found on the blog Sri threads.Donna Watson introduced me to Boro textiles and I've been in love with them ever since. I won't wax lyrical about these extraordinary pieces since I don't know enough about them to do so but I would love to decorate my blog with them today..... just because they are so beautiful.
Boro is the word used for patched or mended textiles of old Japan.
I found these stunning photographs on the blog Sri threads. Sri is a textile gallery in Brooklyn, New York, specializing in antique Japanese folk textiles.
Stitched and re-inforced layers of recycled cloth.
Antique book of weaving samples.Photographer, Lyn Hughes has a website, here, where you can see more of her work. See her interiors below.
Donna Watson's painted collages are as beautiful as these Boro pieces. Have a look at her website, here. Oh, and by the way, a little birdie told me that Donna's work looks absolutely fabulous in the book, Masters: Collage: Major Works by Leading Artists. Soon to be released! It's on my Kalahari wish list!
Come together by Donna Watson
Boro Owls ?!
The line up b y Anne Wood. Ann's blog, here. Shop, here.
yes, boro textiles are beautiful!!! they feel like live souls. thanks for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteI love Boro textiles - I was introduced to them fairly recently myself and Sri Threads features on my blog list -the variety of work i've had a chance to view has been quite incredible.
ReplyDeleteThese images, every one, are completely wonderful, beautiful and thrilling !
ReplyDeleteOh, that book of samples! The book artist in me wants to pick it up and turn the pages. I love the color indigo. Donna's Come Together is exciting and soothing at the same time. Thanks Robyn!
ReplyDeleteI adore the colour scheme in your post - beautiful! Enjoyed all the photos in your last too - looks like a magical place -thanks for sharing your trip!
ReplyDeleteRobyn I love these antique quilted fabrics, the way they drape, are displayed, the colors, the stitching, fabulous. Donna's work fits right in with them. They do seem like abstracts to me. I really like the display with the stones, so very peaceful and aesthetic.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Thank you so much for the inclusion in your wonderful blog post- I do truly love the Boro stuff-- and the mention of the new book- MASTERS COLLAGE- I have a copy now and it is full of very creative collages. Wish I could give you a big HUG!
ReplyDeletedonna watson
p.s. It's funny, just this morning I'd been looking at an antique Japanese Boro/Sakiori garment on eBay, (oh! to own it!), and then I came over to your wondrous new post and was pleasantly surprised. I just added the collage book that Donna is in into my wish list, too. So glad the little bird told you!
ReplyDeleteThese are delicious! I love the worn and stitched fabrics too! I didn't know they were called Boro. In the glass world boro is the word for hard glass- borosilicate, quite the other direction in the texture world!
ReplyDeletekim
Beautiful pieces!...tattered and worn, but so lovely.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it about aged textiles that contain years' worth of work, sorrow, joy, tears and fears? The Gee Bend Quilts, created by African-American women in years past, have a similar feel and look, hand-stitched from old farm clothes, jeans and cast-offs, the first quilts to be celebrated in a modern art museum!
ReplyDeletelove Boro textiles AND Donna's work! awesomely delicious post!
ReplyDeleteI have some of these textiles I bought in Japan many years ago they are beautiful with so many stories behind them.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to be introduced to these wonderful quilts.I was going to mention the Gee Bend quilts too because they have that same blend of nostalgia, texture, and abstract beauty that I haven't seen much in quilts. I especially love how the thread reinforces the cloth over and over almost becoming part of the cloth itself.
ReplyDeleteThese are stunning Robyn. I agree with Kelly. The antique/aged textiles appeal to me as well. I also love the authentic shibori fabrics from Japan and the deep indigo dyed fabrics from China.
ReplyDeleteMmmmm....
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether to admire them as artistic wall hangings or just wrap myself in one & snuggle down for a nap, cradled by experiences in lives of times past...
Thank you for the introduction to Boro textiles...inspiring on many levels. And those owls!
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ReplyDeleteWork
Is
Fabulous
good
creations
I had already looked at the Sri website but those owls are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI was unfamiliar with the term boro until I read about it on Jane Moxey's blog. Beautiful pieces. A lovely Japanese version of our American patchwork quilt.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, my email is acting weird and not letting me send stuff out, so I hope you don't mind me posting this here....anyways, I stumbled across this blog that I think you'd enjoy! (if you're not familiar with him already, that is)
ReplyDeletehttp://geoffreygorman.blogspot.com/
Was always smitten by the word crazy quilt. These r lovely.
ReplyDeleteDonna's work inspires a harmony of permanence and almost a breathless flight as I look
Thank you
Great post! I learned about Boro about a year ago and fell madly in love. It has since greatly influenced the way I work. I'm familiar with the wonderful Sri Threads, and with the fabulous work of Anne Wood. Look forward to checking out the other links. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeletei love boro textiles too, thanks to the wonderful ms. donna as well. gorgeous post! i will have a look at lyn hughes' website as i'm sure it's amazing. these photos are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteThe colors - the textures.
ReplyDeleteHeaven.
Thanks for the introduction to
these wondrous textiles!
Jjj
magnifiques textiles.. à paris existe un stand au marché au puces.. avec des anciens kimonos rapièces..
ReplyDeleteThanks for this beautiful post, love boro quilts, amazing work!!
ReplyDeleteADORABLE OWLS!!!! Japanese textiles are so cool - I was able to purchase some antique kimonos and obis at a fibers convention - just great stuff. And the wall hangings you profiled are just proof of that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing me these these incredible textiles. Would love to be able to thumb through that book especially.
ReplyDeleteoh, the blues!!! great post, eye candy!
ReplyDeleteoh wow I couldn't agree more with you about these.I'm going through an indigo phase so this is wonderful.You really have the same design aesthetic as me must be my south african ancestry :-)
ReplyDeleteThe boro textiles are as beautiful as the stories behind them... I love the blues here, seeing Donna's work and learning about Lyn Hughes. thank you... roxanne
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for all the comments, everyone! I like to reply to each comment but I've somehow got so behind. Three posts in one week! How did that happen ?
ReplyDeleteGreat post Robyn, lots to think about and to look at. You have a great eye! I agree, all gorgeous and the interior shots by Lyn Hughes are wonderful. Off to look at more...thanks!
ReplyDeleteJeanne
Extremely inspiring images. I was swooning !!! Thanks for these, Robyn.
ReplyDeleteMary Ann
Great post. I love the textiles- they give a feeling of comfort and tenderness and the owls have captured my heart. There's more to them than a plush toy craft. They have quite a presence.
ReplyDeleteI am so in love with these!
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which I love more! The large pieces or the owls! I can definately see the attraction to both!
ReplyDeleteI've just had a second look..and I can see how there's a beautiful relationship blossoming between Donna's work and this 'boro' style. Stunning, simple, beautiful...perfect!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous old textiles Robyn and those owls are delicious all standing together like that. Off to follow some links now.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, gorgeous textiles and colours !
ReplyDeleteBoro quilts are very beautiful. I would like to make some boro curtains myself.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous work! So much talent and using it. I just love all of your wonderful creations especially those boro owls. They would make a wonderful decoration.
ReplyDeleteI bought the Boro book,
ReplyDeleteand had the luck to play and purchase some vintage dyed indigo
cloth.
I love the philosophy behind it, as much a the fine sewing skills.