All told I'll be posting about three different volumes by John Gillow. A few weeks back I requested African Textiles through inter-library loan and, within five minutes of opening the book, I knew I wanted to score a copy for myself. If you love indigenous textiles and putting cloth into a larger frame of cultural reference, I'm sure you'd enjoy curling up with this book as much as I do. It's is a large coffee table style art book containing hundreds of photos and drawings. The accompanying text and image captions are superb. Just imagine: mudcloth, ikat, indigo patterns as complex and unending as the universe itself, exquisite tapestries and weavings plus a wealth of intricate embellishments. W-O-W this is a beautiful book and very satisfying to absorb.
The back cover refers to this book as an encyclopedic survey of the traditional textiles of the entire continent. This is accurate but it doesn't really hint at the lively scope and awe-inspiring textiles on display throughout the volume. Cultures covered include: West Africa - The Ashanti, The Bamana, The Baule, The Dida, The Djerma, The Ewe, The Fante, The Fulani, The Hausa, The Igbo, The Nupe, The Yoruba. North Africa - The Berber, The Kabyle. East Africa - The Amhara, The Baganda, The Dorze, The Galla, The Gurage, The Kikuyu, The Maasai, The Somali, The Tigray. Central Africa - The Bamileke, The Imbuti Pygmies, The Kuba, The Shoowa. Southern Africa - The Betsileo, The Merina, The Ndebele, The Sakalava, The Zhosa, The Zulu.
Many of the photos are presented as full page images. Details are exalted with such care that a magnifying glass really isn't necessary. This is a real plus in a textile volume, n'est-ce pas? The people of the various cultures are photographed with the same mindful affection.
So many differing styles of labor intensive techniques are included that it's actually dizzying to contemplate. Many images literally make my pulse race and a few have brought tears of appreciation and amazement to my eyes. The diversity of African textiles could take a lifetime's worth of study and consideration but this single volume has a lot of to offer both armchair travelers and fabric lovers.
I was able to get a very reasonably priced copy from a used bookseller which is in pristine condition beyond a very subtle remainder mark along the bottom edge of the pages. When the book first arrived I spent a very happy half hour opening it at random and gawking to my heart's content. Since then I've vowed to make a more methodical study of the contents. But so far it's proven impossible to be quite that disciplined.
I know many readers of this blog would love to spend some quality time nourishing their eyes & soul with this volume. Definitely see if it's available from your library and be prepared to get lost for awhile. Additionally, although it takes a while to load, the article I linked to Gillow's name at the beginning of this post is a fascinating read. If you don't have time for it right now, make sure to bookmark for later review. I printed out a copy for the design & inspiration sourcebook I'm creating this summer. Still to come - The Textiles of Indonesia and Traditional Indian Textiles.
What fabulous inspiration and nourishment, indeed. I'll take your word for it -- this book is going to the top of the wish list. Also thank you for the gorgeous photo of the deep magenta rose in the blue vessel in the previous post. That rose is exquisite, and exactly the color I've been searching for in silk.
You sound well - I'm glad for it.
Posted by: Lainie | June 27, 2008 at 20:24
OMG, this is awesome !
Posted by: Hélène H | June 28, 2008 at 12:23
Lainie - things seem to have turned a significant corner in my general energy level - thanks as always for your good wishes. That rose's color would make AWESOME silk!!
Helene - Was thinking of you constantly while I was looking through the Indian volume. I hope you have an opportunity to see these books in person as I think they'd tell you a lot of stories for your creative journeying.
Posted by: Acey | June 28, 2008 at 15:43
wow, i am reeling. i have always loved african textiles from a weaving standpoint bit now i am thinking quilt inspiration....
Posted by: jude | June 30, 2008 at 17:23
I'll look for these books, Acey !
Posted by: Hélène H | July 06, 2008 at 16:42
okay, my library does have it...will check it out tomorrow!
Posted by: karoda | July 10, 2008 at 01:23