Exhibition
Ukrainian Folk Tapestry Exhibit
Sunday, November 1, 2015, 3:00 pm
Taras Shevchenko Museum - 1614 Bloor Street West Toronto, ON M6P 1A7
On Sunday November 1, lovers of traditional handicrafts had the opportunity to attend the opening of a Ukrainian Folk-Tapestry Exhibit, hosted by the Taras Shevchenko Museum in Toronto. Passed on from generation to generation, the art of weaving, one of the oldest-known forms of textile production, was widely practiced among Ukrainians. Working on vertical and horizontal looms, weavers manipulated colourful wool, flax, hemp, and cottons yarns to create kilims (rugs), hangings, furniture-covers, runners, ritual towels, garments, and accessories. These objects of incomparable beauty, incorporated by Ukrainians into their daily lives, performed numerous practical, utilitarian, social, ceremonial and purely decorative functions. Woven cloth embellished and insulated the interior of the home, figured prominently in celebrations, rituals and rites of passage, denoted social standing, and protected the wearer from the elements as well as from evil spirits.
On display, at the Shevchenko Museum, were early to middle 20th century examples of folk tapestry-woven artifacts based on Ukrainian traditional designs. The exhibit opened on Sunday, November 1 at 3:00 pm with a wine-and-village-style reception and run to December 15, 2015. Opening remarks were delivered by Larissa Stavroff. Entertainment were provided by “KalynDar” – Ukrainian Village Voices. And for those who wanted to practice tapestry-weaving skills, a textile artist was on hand to guide it.
Admission: Pay What You Can.