Under African Skies

Andrew Haughton of The Nomads Tent says:

'Under African Skies' will be a land mark exhibition at The Nomads Tent which we have been planning for 2 years with our friends Magie Relph and Bob Irwin of The African Fabric Shop. When not in their shop in Meltham in the Yorkshire Pennines, Magie and Bob have traveled around Africa for nearly 40 years, following the textile journey of craftspeople they personally know and documenting the history of those textiles. Their particular genius, and our great delight, is how they share with us the richness and integrity of these textile traditions. In this exhibition you'll find their range of hands-on fabric crafting kits, well designed textile artifacts and clothes, textile art for walls and, crowning it all, a curated collection of important, representative pieces prepared for this exhibition. 

Musa with kola and indigo sampler 2017

Magie Relph and Bob Irwin have exhibited and lectured widely, published 'African Wax Print: A Textile Journey', written many articles, given countless workshops and organised with others the immensely popular 'World Textile Day' markets appearing for over 20 years all over the UK.

You can see their fabulous and completely unique ranges of sustainably sourced goods on their website and in their shop in Yorkshire. 

Pat Archibald and the Scottish Textile Art Group, S.T.A.G will also be exhibiting their new collection of quilts inspired by African Kuba cloth. Come along and see how they have interpreted the history, heritage, technique and customs associated with Kuba Cloth to make these exquisite quilts.