Indigo Exhibition - by Joyce

Jane K and I went to the Japanese Embassy on Piccadilly, opposite Green Park, to see a small exhibition “Aizone”, the craft of Indigo-dyeing. 

A video showed the time-consuming process of dyeing long lengths of fabric and round the room were examples by artists showing the beautiful patterns that can be created by tieing, wrapping, stitching, and using wax resist. 

Amongst the Japanese names were several English names we recognised including Janice Gunner who is a member of the Quilters Guild and wrote a book in 2006, Shibori. Jane and I did a workshop with her in 2013 at West Dean College, near Chichester.

We got talking to a couple of women there who recommended a small display of Safflower dyeing called “Beguiling Beni” at the V and A so off we went back to Green Park and took the Piccadilly line to South Kensington, ground floor of the museum, Japan Gallery, room45.

It takes many, many Safflowers to make Beni which produces rich red hues and also an iridescent green. On display were textiles, shoes, cosmetics and woodblock prints. 

Apparently many centuries ago Japanese women painted their lips with Beni which could produce the iridescent green I mentioned! It showed status apparently as it was so expensive. 

We had a fun day out and managed to fit in lunch at the V and A Members Room as well. 

The Aizone exhibition runs until 29th September, free but you’re supposed to book but our tickets weren’t even looked at! The Beni display goes in until end of March 2024, and of course the V and A is free. 

Make the most of your Freedom Pass ladies!