Meeting Announcement:

Sustaining Traditional Arts and Crafts in the Modern World – Textiles and Music of Borneo

with

Edric Ong

at

The Seattle Asian Art Museum

Volunteer Park

Friday, July 14, 2006, 7:00 PM

The pua kumba is the best-known type of textile from the Iban people of Borneo. Traditionally made of cotton warp-ikat, these pieces are said to include designs inspired by dreams sent to the weavers by the weaving goddess Kumang. The pieces were used in important rituals and religious ceremonies, and women who were highly skilled weavers and dyers were as esteemed in the community as men who were accomplished head-hunters.

Edric Ong is from a 6th generation family from Kuching, the capital of Sarawak - the East Malaysian State on the island of Borneo. Since 1988, he has worked with the warp-ikat weavers of Rumah Garie, the famous longhouse of traditional Iban weavers on the River Kain, in the remote Kapit District of Sarawak. It is accessible only by longboat. In order to sustain the traditional textile arts of the region and make them more marketable, Edric convinced the Rumah Garie group to try to adapt their traditional cotton ikat techniques to naturally dyed silk thread. This group of about 50 women is the only group of Iban weavers to have successfully mastered the techniques. The new production is proving popular with galleries, museums and collectors, which is bringing in income that helps to preserve and promote this important weaving tradition.

Edric’s Ong’s presentation will include a slideshow and video and will focus on his experience with the famous Rumah Garie weaving longhouse on the Kain River in the interior of Sarawak. The evening will also include weaving demonstrations by Bangie Emboli and Nancy Ngali – two master weavers from the community, and a musical performance by Matthew Ngau Jau, who is an acclaimed master of the sapeh, the traditional lute-like instrument of the Orang Ulu people.

This presentation is sponsored in partnership with the Seattle Asian Art Museum. Our thanks to SAAM for helping to make it possible!

Meeting Schedule:

7:00-9:00 Please be seated by 7:00 – this promises to be a full evening! The meeting will be held in the Activities Room.

Please note: This meeting is free, though a $5 donation is suggested.

Meeting Location and Directions:

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is located in Seattle’s Volunteer Park. The address is 1400 East Prospect Street, Seattle, WA 98112.

From the South: Take I-5 North to the Olive Way Exit. Bear right up the hill (east). Turn left on 15th Avenue East. Turn left on East Prospect Street. The park entrance is at 14th Avenue East and East Prospect Street. Turn right into the park, go around the water tower, and continue straight. The museum will be on your right.

From the North: Take I-5 South to the Roanoke Street Exit. Turn left over the freeway on Roanoke. Turn right on 10th Avenue East. Turn left on East Prospect Street. The park entrance is at 14th Avenue East and East Prospect Street. Turn left into the park, go around the water tower, and continue straight. The museum will be on your right.

Other Related Events (See Enclosed Flyer):

Saturday July 15, 10AM – 5PM

Reception, Hands-On Weaving Demonstrations, Trunk-Sale

Glenn Richards Gallery, 964 Denny Way, Seattle

Meet Edric Ong and the artists and watch pua kumba weaving on a backstrap loom and listen to sapeh music. Bring in Borneo textiles for discussion with Edric and the weavers. There will also be an opportunity to purchase Rumah Garie silk pua kumba and fashion textiles.

Saturday July 15, 7PM

Borneo Show – weaving, music, dance, blowpipe contest and fashion show

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17^th Ave. S., Seattle

Edric Ong will show slides and video and talk about the culture and arts of Borneo. Bangie and Nancy will weave, Matthew will play the sapeh and with Nancy, will entertain us with traditional dances of Borneo. Matthew will referee an audience participation blowpipe contest, and the evening will end with a fashion show of pua kumba and Edric’s fashion textiles. Admission is free though we are suggesting a $5 donation.