Jakarta Exhibition Showcases Traditional 'Ikat' Cloth From Ende, East Nusa Tenggara
Jakarta. A community dedicated to preserving Indonesian traditional fabrics called KPWI kicked off an exhibition to promote ikat textile from Ende, East Nusa Tenggara, at the Textile Museum in South Jakarta on Wednesday (14/12).
The exhibition displays intricately patterned ikat fabrics from Ende, and is intended to raise awareness of the unique style and to preserve it.
KPWI director Sinta Kaniawati said she hoped Ende's traditional craftsmen can use the exhibition to promote their work.
"We'd love it if Ende-style ikat cloth can gain more recognition from the public," she said.
All of the ikat fabrics in the exhibition are handwoven and naturally dyed. It can take up to six months to produce just a single roll of ikat cloth.
Compared to ikat from other parts of East Nusa Tenggara, Ende-style ikat features smaller and denser patterns, usually inspired by nature, such as flowers, horses, cows and lizards.
The muted color palette is made up mostly of dark brown, black, yellow and red. Ende artisans create the dyes from mud, charcoal, turmeric and mulberries.
The director of the Museum of Ende Woven Ikat — the co-organizer of the event, Ali Abubekar, said lack of awareness and public appreciation have led to many weavers and dyers in Ende struggling to make ends meet.
Ali said he feared no one will want to make Ende-style ikat anymore and the unique style will go extinct.
The KPWI will also organize an ikat cloth auction and a fashion show featuring designer Musa Widyatmojo during the exhibition to raise funds for local weavers in Ende.
The exhibition runs until Tuesday, Dec. 20.
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