African Textiles Today

Hardback

Main Details

Title African Textiles Today
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Chris Spring
Physical Properties
Format:Hardback
Pages:256
Dimensions(mm): Height 270,Width 240
Category/GenreTextile artworks
ISBN/Barcode 9780714115597
ClassificationsDewey:746.096
Audience
General
Illustrations With over 230 colour images

Publishing Details

Publisher British Museum Press
Imprint British Museum Press
Publication Date 1 October 2012
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

A fascinating insight into the living history of Africa. African textiles are patterned with stories that range far beyond the time of the creation or the lifetime of their creator. In Africa, cloth is used to commemorate important events, people or political struggles that in other parts of the world might be recorded in writing, or marked by a plaque or monument. This beautifully illustrated book deciphers these hidden stories, whilst also revealing the relevance of African textiles today, exploring how the dynamic traditions in African cloth-making have provided inspiration for the continent's foremost contemporary artists and photographers. Africa's long engagement with the peoples of the Mediterranean and the islands of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans provides a story of change and continuity, showing how ideas, techniques, materials and markets have adapted and flourished. Accompanied by 200 stunning illustrations revealing the rich variety of textile traditions throughout Africa, this new work showcases some of the world's finest examples of textile arts.

Author Biography

Chris Spring is curator of the contemporary African art and the eastern and southern African collection at the British Museum.