J.H. Terry Gallery
2323 First Avenue, Seattle
The subject of this talk
is the oft-ignored field of Turkmen embroidery. Using slides taken over the past few years, Tom Cole will discuss
attributions, designs and symbolism.
Unlike other Turkmen weavings, this purely indigenous art form was never
intended for commerce or export, making it a particularly interesting vehicle
for understanding Turkmen culture. Distinctions
in attributions will be explained, as well as the significance and the origins
of much of the design repetoire that is seen in these textiles.
Tom Cole is a private
dealer who specializes in tribal weavings and textiles from Central Asia. He has
been active in the antique tribal rug and textile art trade for more than
twenty-five years. Having lived and traveled extensively in Asia, he is
familiar with the diverse textile traditions that span from the Near East and
Persia, through Central Asia, and along the Silk Road to China.
Tom Cole has also
contributed to an understanding and appreciation of textile art through his
numerous articles in HALI magazine. These include a landmark paper on Tibetan
rugs entitled 'A Tribal Tradition' (HALI 49, 1990), as well as 'Chinese Rugs --
Art from the Steppes' (HALI 67, 1993), which offers a fresh perspective on the
Chinese carpet weaving tradition. His evolving interests are demonstrated by
subsequent articles on Baluch tribal weavings (HALI 76, 1994 & HALI 97,
1998), both of which contributed to the changing landscape of Baluch rug
collecting nomenclature.
Tom Cole has long been a
contributing editor for HALI, representing the magazine in the San Francisco
Bay Area, and has written numerous exhibition and event reviews. But as a writer he is perhaps best known for
his entertaining travelogues, in which he has shared with HALI readers his
adventures along little-traveled routes in the arid deserts of Baluchistan, the
battle scarred landscape of northern Afghanistan and Mazar-i-Sharif, and the
labyrinthine back alleys of the forbidden city of Lhasa.
A frequent lecturer at
the International Conference on Oriental Carpets (ICOC) and the American
Conference on Oriental Rugs (ACOR), as well as to various rug societies
throughout the United States, Tom Cole's extensive field experience results in
an original approach in his writings, with unique perspectives on attribution,
provenance, design origins, and aesthetics.
Meeting Schedule:
7:30 Mix and mingle. Announcements.
8:00 Tom Cole –
Turkmen Embroidery
9:00 Show and tell – if
you wish, please bring a textile you’d like to share with the group. Of course, a piece of Turkmen embroidery
would be particularly appropriate, but Tom Cole is also well-versed in all of
the major weaving cultures that span Asia and the Silk Road, including,
especially, Baluch, Tibetan and Chinese.
Please
note: This meeting is free to all
members, $5.00 at the door for guests.
As always, all are welcome.
Meeting Location:
Many thanks to STARS member Jon Terry for inviting us to his gallery, J.H. Terry Gallery. It is located in Belltown on the west side of First Avenue, between Battery and Bell. Parking is available in pay lots on First Avenue, and on the street. Please allow extra time for parking as it is a Friday night and some lots may fill up.