The Natural World – In Carpets and Rugs. An exhibition at Burgh Halls, Linlithgow

The Natural World – In Carpets and Rugs

An exhibition at Burgh Halls, Linlithgow, presented by The Nomads Tent and curated by Andrew Haughton.

Thursday 24 October 2024 to Sunday 26 January 2025

Plants, Animals and the natural environment as inspiration for tribal, village and city weavings from Iran to Afghanistan.

This exhibition, held at Linlithgow's Burgh Halls, brings together a variety of beautiful woven rugs, kilims and other textiles to demonstrate how the beauty and complexity of nature is central to the many traditional weaving cultures.

Weaving is a primary human craft, perhaps one of the oldest of all. It makes practical materials which keep people warm. In the heartlands of often ancient weaving traditions, pattern and colour distinguish tribe from tribe, serving as tokens of power, tradition and style. Weavers the world over delight in sharing and copying ideas from other cultures and often a common theme is the natural world. More than any other source of inspiration, it is the flora and fauna of our little planet that has moved weavers for millennia.

Weaving is a traditional craft that is alive and kicking, especially hand knotted carpets and hand woven kilims, we will include both traditional and contemporary items. Poems of the great Hafez and Nizami will be explored, especially the iconic mystical story The Conference of the Birds by Attar. Their imagery suffuses Oriental weaving tradition, from the magnificent Paradise Carpets, grand palace carpets and humble but wild and charming tribal rugs.

The exhibition opening night will be on Thursday 24 October, 7 – 9 pm in the Gallery Rooms. (Light refreshments provided, Booking for this event is essential.)

Please RSVP by email with your name, contact details and number of guests, by Thursday 10 October, 2024 to: arts@westlothian.gov.uk

For more information and details of all associated events including talks and workshops, visit: www.linlithgowburghhalls.co.uk/article/81899/The-Natural-World-in-Carpets-and-Rugs-Nomads-Tent