Aubrey Kurlansky, a textile artist, is bringing his experience of East and West to create unique silk art. Drawing on his experience as an artist and creator, and with a background in graphic design, art and photography, he applies these disciplines when designing patterns for his scarves, which are printed on both sides. In his talk, Aubrey will explain the process of integrating his skills in art and photography with his love of beauty and pattern making, which is applied to different formats and printed on silk, transformed into scarves and other elegant sartorial items. Growing up in South Africa, educated in the UK, and having traveled across many countries and diverse cultures, Aubrey brings together his notion of grace and refinement to make his impressions visible and accessible. He moved to Singapore in 2013 and then Thailand, where he has worked at Bensley Bangkok, known for its fine hospitality business. Aubrey’s designs and artworks are on display in hotels throughout the world under his brand name AKWA. Each of his silk scarves, dresses, kimono shawls and skirts is of limited-edition, and a rare collectible item.

Southeast Asian textiles enthusiasts may have come across the term ‘Kalaga’. This peculiar name is used to describe a large tapestry-liked wall hanging produced in Burma (Myanmar). Kalaga hangings captured the attention of the Western world during the British colonial time as one of the attractive local crafts. Even with the passage of time, Kalagas have retained the status of being one of the major crafts of modern-day Myanmar, produced in the Mandalay vicinity. Due to its size and appearance, a Kalaga’s presence can grace an interior space, lending exotic oriental ambience to a room. Its large surface most often depicts a narrative from Burmese mythology or one of the Buddhist jataka tales (former lives of the Buddha), constructed in sumptuous embroidery of various materials such as silk, cotton and metallic threads. These hold in place sequins, beads, glass pieces and sometimes mirrors. Khun AKE is an independent scholar whose work focuses mainly on textiles and art history of mainland Southeast Asia. He is an avid antique textiles collector spanning more than two decades. He has lectured widely, at the Siam Society, Thai Textiles Society, The Bangkok National Museum Volunteer group, and at SACIT. He is currently a council member of the Siam Society under the Royal Patronage as well as a committee of Thai Textiles Society. During this talk, he will discuss the origin of Kalagas and their development from the stylistic aspect, as well as changes in production, material, and its demand over time. He will trace its usage and significance from the local context, particularly in relation to how the craft evolved into a tourist souvenir and an export product of Myanmar. He will also bring rare examples of early pieces from his personal collection to show and discuss, and compare them with later examples widely available in the market nowadays.

Join us on a special visit to Ratchaburi to view the exhibition “Phut Paa Pee” which translates to “Buddhist Spirit Textiles”. The exhibition showcases important pieces of Tai Yuan textiles from the Tao Hong Tai's collection gathered over the last five decades. The theme explores the local weaving heritage of this ethnic group, intertwined with their ways of life, spiritual beliefs and ceremonies. Originally from Lana and due to warfare, the Tai Yuan were forced to move southwards to central Thailand where they resettled in various areas that include Ratchaburi, Saraburi, and Nakhon Pathom. The textiles are attractively shown in the "Tao Hong Tai: d Kunst Art Space and Café” situated along the river in downtown Ratchaburi. We’ll then visit Wat Muang Vernacular Museum located in Wat Muang, an old Buddhist temple of the Mon ethnic community, founded during the reign of King Narai of Ayutthaya (17th century). The local Mon have actively preserved their culture, and one of their initiatives was setting up a museum to showcase the religious artifacts found at the temple. Highlights of the museum are the collection of Buddhist manuscript wrappers made of valuable fabrics, and 'Kammavasa' lacquered manuscripts that are of Burmese/Mon style, some with amazing Ayutthaya decorative details, a feature that makes them truly rare.