The knowledge held in the hand
Handloom and craft traditions represent generations of technical skill, material knowledge, aesthetic judgement, and cultural memory.
Our work in this area seeks to understand the people and processes behind textiles and crafted objects. We are interested in the relationship between maker, material, technique, design, place, and community.
Documentation may include:
- Weaving and making processes
- Local materials and techniques
- Motifs, forms, and regional distinctions
- Apprenticeship and knowledge transmission
- Changing livelihoods and market conditions
- Practitioner histories and lived experience
We believe preservation must support the continued dignity and viability of the people who sustain these traditions.