Ikat exhibit features textiles with sacred meaning

As with many exhibits at the The George Washington University Museum and Textile Museum, “Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat,” features numerous textiles that carry spiritual value in their cultures of origin.

Well before these vividly-patterned cloths become part of ceremonies or devotional practices, skilled craftsmen must selectively bind and dye threads before weaving. The painstaking ancient resist-dyeing technique makes every finished product all the more valuable–especially when they become part of sacred ritual.

‘Handmade ikats are among humankind’s most technically and aesthetically superlative expressions in textile art,’ said Curator Lee Talbot, who organized the exhibition. ‘While experiencing the bright colors and dazzling patterns of ikat, visitors will learn the socio-cultural significance and symbolic meanings that people across the globe have associated with these textiles.’

Over 70 vivid textiles from communities across Asia, Africa and the Americas fill the second floor of the museum nestled in DC’s Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Featuring centuries-old traditional ikat along with modern designs, the exhibit includes textiles that form part of spiritual customs, including an Indian sari with inscriptions of the Gita Govinda, a sash worn by Muslim men in India, a Sumatran ceremonial skirt and a Malaysian cloth for invoking the presence of ancestors and spirits, among others.

If You Go

Irresistible: The Global Patterns of Ikat

The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum
701 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052

• Dates: The exhibit runs through June 8. Highlights from the exhibition will remain on view through December 21, 2024. Click here for the online exhibition page.
• Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: Free, $8 donations welcome from non-members
• Online: Enjoy the exhibit’s page as well as other rich content and programs on the website.

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Featured Image: Buddhist monk’s mantle (kesa); Kyoto, Japan; late 19th century. (Gift of David and Marita Paly/The Textile Museum Collection/George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum)