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If you have a query about setting up
your own project or wish to tell us about a project you have
completed using the guidelines on this website, please contact
us at shamiana@vam.ac.uk
Goan Textile Project
Eleanor Viegas is a textile artist and tutor who lives six
months of the year in Birmingham and the other half of the
year in Goa. In 1994 Eleanor worked with two groups at Aston
Hall in Birmingham who took part in the V&A's Shamiana textile
project.
Following on from her experience with this project
Eleanor has set up her own textile initiative with a new women's
group in Goa. The aims of the project have been:
1. To produce a textile hanging which demonstrates the embroidery
and crochet skills of Goan women.
2. To be inspired by the lush vegetation and local architecture,
including churches, temples and the typical Portuguese-style
Goan house. The finished piece should express the atmosphere
and spirit of Goa and inspire the women to produce their own
individual pictures or participate in future group work.
3. To display and celebrate the final textile artwork in an
exhibition, which aims to draw attention to the women's skills
and encourage interest from the tourist market.
4. To encourage women to gain computer skills by introducing
them to the Shamiana website, where photographs of their final
artwork will also be displayed.
A total of six women joined the group, and others
have shown an interest in participating in future projects.
The tutor and women met at each other's homes as well as at
a local art gallery. The group has use of a computer via a
family friend, so they have been exploring the Shamiana website
and are now excited at seeing their artwork on the site.
The materials for this project have been kindly
supported by Dorothy Reglar, a textile artist and consultant
working in both the UK and South Asia.
The textile banner created by the Goan group
is due to be displayed at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
from March 17th to May 20th 2001, alongside the touring Shamiana
exhibition.
Some quotes from the Goan group:
"We are used to having the design drawn out to follow
and have never worked in a free-hand way before. More women
should take this up rather than watch TV." Kala Thakur
"To be part of a big project sharing ideas
is exciting." Anita Sawant
"We have always embroidered on tablecloths
and pillow cases and we did not know we could create something
different using the embroidery skills we have." Paleni
Naik
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