Mural to Ikat Textile Art

Abstract

Textile art can be creatively generated in several ways. Woven Image Art is one of those approaches which uses the traditional Mudmee weaving technique. The main objectives of this project were to 1) create a new piece of Mural to Ikat Textile Art which portrays the royal duties of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama 9 of the Chakri Dynasty) 2) develop diversity in Mudmee weaving patterns, building on the applied patterns to create new motifs that reflect society and its associated era 3) convert original art using Mudmee weaving to preserve local knowledge and 4) convey artwork through Mudmee weaving onto Ikat fabric. An image piece was initially designed and sketched, the warps and wefts were then prepared, and silk fabric was woven using the overlapping Mudmee (Double Ikat) technique. Notes and continual analysis of the work piece were recorded throughout the process. The 20 meter long, silk fabric piece was successfully created by using the overlapping Mudmee (Double Ikat) technique. It is similar to mural paintings portraying His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal duties. This contemporary textile art piece is a new body of knowledge developed from local wisdom.