FIBER ON MY PATH ~ Singapore
Fiber Art Inspired by Traditions
Singapore is worth the commute even with two lengthy layovers - ugh! A few days in Hawaii each way would be a good idea. English is the official language, just walk right up to anyone - well, almost anyone - and ask your questions. They will understand you, and you will understand the answer - with a heavy accent.
It is HOT here, come prepared to dress accordingly. Get a Tourist pass at the airport, thoses desks are available 24/7. Subway into the city is easy. We got close to the hotel then took a taxi to the front door. The subway stops are rather far apart. However, buses go just about everywhere. Navigate buses on your phone, amazing how it works. Museum passes were expensive, seemed like they were not a good buy.
Malay Heritage Centre
Man’s fancy dress hat, intricately woven with silver embroidery.
ACM ~ Asian civilizations museum
A lovely wing of the museum is housed in a charming old building on the North River Walk. It was built as a colonial government building. Thomas Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore right here in 1817. He was the English founder of the colony of Singapore. He is still respected for his work here.
Betel Set, this hand woven set from Sumatra is made of fern fiber. Fiber of various colors achieve the pattern. Tradition was to offer betel leaves to visitors. Chewing brings on a mild feeling of calm and well being. Everyone chewed and everyone had black teeth, and now it has been proven to be detrimental to health. It is a habit of the past.
Talismanic Shirt Also in the AMC is this beautifully crafted fiber art, from India, during the Mughal period, 16th and 17th centuries. These shirts were worn by warriors under armor. They were also used to cover people who were ill, to aid in their recovery.
Cotton fabric, embellished with colored and black ink. Large Medallions are flled with shahada (statement of faith). Each rectangle contains a chapter of the Quran, 114 chapters in all, front and back. Chapter titles are written in gold. On the borders are the 99 names of God.
ACM Jacket & Apron
Above is a Northern Thai Jacket. The piece with the pink fringe is a Hmong Apron from Southern Thailand or Laos.
Chinese Dolls
ACM has collected two identical Chinese couples, adult dolls. Their clay faces and hands are painted realistically. Silk clothing is authentic to their time, 18th century. Notice the woman’s tiny feet and shoes, depicting bound feet.
Betal Bag, Timor Island
Shaman’s Apron
Notice the contemporary method of separating the slashes in the white fabric with decorative stitching.